(Image Source: Pinterest, Lionsgate Films)
As U.S. President Donald J. Trump's recent executive orders on the stringent deportation of undocumented immigrants continue to spark significant public backlash, Hollywood is swiftly capitalizing on the timely controversy, greenlighting film projects with highly similar themes.
The Hollywood Reporter (THR) exclusively revealed today that Chad Stahelski, director of the four main "John Wick" films, and his production company 87Eleven Entertainment are set to adapt the comic series "Calexit," which also tackles immigration deportation, for the big screen. Original author Matteo Pizzolo has already penned the screenplay for the film.
(Image Source: Black Mask Studios)
"Calexit" is set in a near-future America where the President has signed an executive order to deport all immigrants. However, California defiantly declares itself a sanctuary state, with its residents striving to reclaim power from the authoritarian government. The comic, first published in 2017, was a bestseller during Trump's initial term and later spawned numerous spin-off stories. Coincidentally, the announcement of this adaptation comes on the very day a new storyline, "Calexit: The Battle of Universal City," begins its serialization.
"Calexit" was previously optioned by MRC for a television series, and Pizzolo even wrote a pilot script. However, the project ultimately did not move forward, and both the adaptation rights and screenplay rights reverted to Pizzolo. Now, with Trump's return to office, the live-action "Calexit" is being redeveloped as a feature film.