In what might be the most “ripped from the headlines” adaptation announcement of the year, John Wick director Chad Stahelski has signed on to produce and direct “Calexit,” a film based on the politically-charged comic book.
If you’ve never heard of “Calexit,” it’s about an authoritarian U.S. president who signs an executive order to deport all immigrants, California refuses, declares itself a sanctuary state, and the military is sent in to occupy Los Angeles. From there, it’s urban warfare, martial law, and the formation of a resistance movement.
Stahelski’s involvement raises eyebrows, not because of his action credentials —they’re unquestioned after four John Wick films — but because of the project’s overtly political tone. Then again, perhaps that’s exactly what appealed him to this project.
Matteo Pizzolo, who co-created the comic and co-founded Black Mask, has written the script on spec. It should be noted that Pizzolo has described the “Calexit” president as “Trump-like,” citing the bombastic, authoritarian rhetoric, but clarified it’s not literally Trump.
Stahelski, meanwhile, has plenty on his plate. He’s gearing up to direct Amazon/MGM’s ‘Highlander’ reboot, with Henry Cavill, this fall. Will “Calexit” be next? Who knows. Stahelski has a whopping seven projects currently in development, including “Shibumi,” “Black Samurai,” “Sandman Slim,” “Rainbow Six,” “Kill or be Killed,” and “Vice City.”
With that said, this will be a hard project to find a buyer for because its subject matter is both politically volatile and commercially risky. The story’s overt parallels to Trump-era politics—particularly the depiction of a “Trump-like” president and a seceding California—may alienate potential studios or streamers looking to avoid controversy.
We’ll see where this one ends up—if it manages to find a home at all.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.