Sunrise Films has acquired North American distribution rights to “Bang Bang,” the emotionally charged boxing drama starring Tim Blake Nelson.
Vincent Grashaw directed, wrote and produced the Detroit-set drama, which explores themes of family, legacy and redemption against the backdrop of the boxing world. The film, which made the festival rounds at Tribeca, Locarno, Deauville American Film Festival, and Oldenburg, centers on retired boxer Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski (Nelson), who finds renewed purpose training his estranged grandson. But questions swirl around Bang Bang’s true motivations, including from an old flame who witnessed his 1980s rise and bitter rivalry with her cousin, now Detroit mayoral candidate Darnell Washington.
The ensemble cast includes Glenn Plummer (“Sons of Anarchy”), Kevin Corrigan (“Goodfellas”), Nina Arianda (“Tower Heist”), Andrew Liner (“Vampire Academy”), Erica Gimpel (“Criminal Minds”), and Daniella Pineda (“The Vampire Diaries”).
“With Bang Bang, we were drawn to a powerfully written story filled with emotionally rich characters,” said Andrew Nerger, Sunrise’s head of U.S. and international distribution. “Vincent Grashaw has crafted a film that poses a fascinating question: what happens to a larger-than-life athlete when their career ends? Tim Blake Nelson delivers what may be the most powerful performance of his already storied career.”
Sunrise Films, the internationally focused production and distribution company launched by Rupert Preston and Nigel Williams, has been building its North American slate with titles including “Mr. Blake at Your Service” starring John Malkovich and Fanny Ardant, Nina Conti’s “Sunlight,” and Luna Carmoon’s BAFTA-nominated “Hoard” featuring Joseph Quinn. The company also produced Philip Barantini’s “The Accused” for Netflix and George Amponsah’s “Gassed Up” for theatrical release.
Preston serves as CEO of Vertigo Releasing and has produced over 25 films including “Bronson,” “The Sweeney” and “Monsters.” Williams is chair of both Vertigo Releasing and Protagonist Pictures.
The film will receive a select theatrical release this fall ahead of Sunrise’s planned release of sci-fi thriller “Another End” starring Gael García Bernal, Renate Reinsve and Bérénice Bejo.
“Bang Bang” opens in select U.S. theaters on Sept. 12, 2025.
