Director Paul Feig has already assembled a star-studded cast for his new Amazon movie Grand Death Lottery, starring John Cena, Simu Liu and Awkwafina.
45-year-old Cena – who was recently seen in the Die Hart 2 trailer – 33-year-old Liu and 34-year-old Awkwafina (born Nora Lum) have committed via deadline.
Feig will direct from a script by Ron Yescombe (Outside the Wire), set in a “very near future” where something known as the Grand Lottery is based in an “economically challenged California.”
If a winner is chosen… the catch is that anyone can legally kill the winner before sundown to claim their multi-billion dollar prize.
The story revolves around Awkwafina’s character Katie, who has just moved to Los Angeles and found the winning ticket.
Cast: Director Paul Feig has already assembled a star-studded cast for his new Amazon movie Grand Death Lottery, starring John Cena, Simu Liu and Awkwafina
New project: 45-year-old Cena – who was recently featured in the Die Hart 2 trailer – 33-year-old Liu and 34-year-old Awkwafina (née Nora Lum) have signed up via Deadline
Directed: Feig will direct from a script by Ron Yescombe (Outside the Wire), set in a “very near future” where something known as the Grand Lottery is based in an “economically challenged California”
She decides to team up with an ‘amateur jackpot protector’ named Noel (Cena), who tries to fend off all rivals to keep her safe until sunset.
Liu plays Louis Lewis, Noel’s “protection rival” who also tries to protect her and, like Noel, claims a lucrative protection commission.
Feig will direct and produce with Laura Fischer through his FeigCo production company, with Roth/Kirschenbaum Films’ Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum also producing.
Cena and writer Yescombe will also serve as executive producers alongside Zack Roth, with filming starting next week.
“Grand Death Lotto is the kind of original idea that audiences crave, and there’s no one better than the endlessly talented Paul Feig to pilot the ship,” Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios, said in a statement.
“We can’t wait to see John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu bring this fun, action-packed script to life for our Prime Video customers around the world,” she added.
“I love action comedy and extreme physical comedy and this movie has both in abundance as well as a boatload of heart and hilarity,” added Feig.
“This lottery will make all of us the winners,” the director concluded.
Protector: She decides to team up with an ‘amateur jackpot protector’ named Noel (Cena), who tries to fend off all rivals to keep her safe until sunset
Rival: Liu plays Louis Lewis, Noel’s “protection rival” who also tries to protect her and, like Noel, claims a lucrative protection commission
Can’t wait: “We can’t wait to see John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu bring this fun, action-packed script to life for our Prime Video customers around the world,” she added
Feig most recently directed last year’s Netflix movie The School for Good and Evil and several episodes of Fox’s Welcome to Flatch.
He is also involved in the production of 24-7, the directorial debut for Eva Longoria, and is also writing and producing a sequel to his 2015 action comedy Spy.
Cena is from his hit HBO Max series Peacemaker, reprising his title character from James Gunn’s movie The Suicide Squad.
The show has been renewed for a second season, which is expected to air on the HBO Max streaming service later this year.
The busy actor also has four films in post-production that are expected to release later this year.
He returns as Jakob Toretto, the brother of Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto in Fast X, which hits theaters May 19.
The actor also lends his voice to Coyote vs. Acme, which is set in the Acme warehouse and arrives in theaters July 21.
Cena also stars in Argylle, an espionage adventure starring Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston and more, which has no release date.
Director: Feig most recently directed last year’s Netflix movie The School for Good and Evil and several episodes of Fox’s Welcome to Flatch
Roles: Cena is from his popular HBO Max series Peacemaker, reprising his title character from James Gunn’s movie The Suicide Squad
