According to Deadline, Star Wars alum John Boyega has decided to exit his leading role in Netflix’s forthcoming thriller pic Rebel Ridge, who had been attached to the project since 2019. The Golden Globe winner’s sudden departure in the middle of shooting is due to “family reasons.” Because of this, the streamer has temporarily paused its production, while they search for his replacement.
“Rebel Ridge is pausing temporarily as we look to re-cast John Boyega who needed to leave the project for family reasons,” A Netflix representative said in a statement. “We remain committed to Jeremy Saulnier’s extraordinary film and look forward to resuming production. We look forward to continuing our partnership with John Boyega’s UpperRoom Productions, in addition to our upcoming film They Cloned Tyrone in which he also stars.”
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Rebel Ridge is written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room). Further details about the film’s plot and characters are still being kept under wraps but it is being described as a high-velocity thriller that explores systemic American injustices through bone-breaking action sequences, suspense, and dark humor.
The film currently stars AnnaSophia Robb (Soul Surfer), Emory Cohen (The OA), Don Johnson (Knives Out), Oscar nominee James Cromwell (Babe), James Badge Dale (The Pacific), Zsane Jhe, and Al Vicente.
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Rebel Ridge is executive produced by Macon Blair and Louise Lovegrove, with Saulnier, Anish Savjani, Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino set as producers. It hails from Filmscience and Bonneville Pictures.
