‘Calexit’: Chad Stahelski To Direct Politically-Charged Mass Deportation Action Movie

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.