Filming Wraps On Michael Matteo Rossi’s Latest Action Feature ‘The Handler’
Writer/Director/Producer Michael Matteo Rossi brought us his first feature film back in 2015 with Misogynist, which told the story of a male chauvinist guru who guides his best prodigy through the art of controlling women, only for the student to find out he is not everything that he seems. Misogynist was a great run out of the starting trap and a promising sign of things to come from the American filmmaker. You can read our full review of Misogynist here.
Rossi’s next feature came in the form of the gripping crime thriller Sable, which starred Ayla Kell (Weeds - 2005, Missing at 17 - 2013), Chris Petrovski (Madam Secretary (2019), and Jon Briddell, who played the lead role in Misogynist. Sable centres around a young woman, whose dreams of moving to Wyoming are halted when her unstable boyfriend accidentally kills a man.
In 2019, Rossi came back with his fantastic thriller Chase, about a hitman who must prove his loyalty to his mentor and best friend, while his girlfriend wants to leave the business behind them. Chase Stars Jessica Morris (Party of Five - 2020, Stripped - 2020) and Damien Puckler (The Colony - 2009, Death Factory - 2014).
In his follow-up action thriller Shadows (2020) - currently in post-production - a young low-level drug dealer is reunited with his estranged mom and uncle to protect him when a ruthless drug kingpin puts a hit on him. Shadows stars Francis Capra (Veronica Mars: The Movie - 2014, iZombie - 2018-2019), Krista Allen (The Perfect Mother - 2018, The Wrong Stepfather - 2020), and Davis Labrava (Sons of Anarchy - 2008-2014). Shadows is now an Official Selection at the Burbank International Film Festival.
Now, Michael Matteo Rossi has recently wrapped up filming on what looks set to be his most intense action feature yet - The Handler. Rossi has been sharing onset images and videos over the past couple of weeks, via social media, and the buzz and the hype is definitely gaining strong momentum.
The Handler sees ex-marine Ryker Dune go up against a team of mercenaries who are sent to kill him, when he seeks refuge in a not so very safe house, after he throws a job. Chris Levine has been cast in the lead role of Dune. Levine is known for his work on Blake and Shelley (2015) and I Hate kids (2019), amongst others. From the few behind-the-scenes clips that Rossi has posted, it looks like the fight scenes are going to be tight, pretty brutal and very impressive, with actor, producer and martial arts athlete Matt Hakan Erderms serving as stunt coordinator.
The Handler also stars Rachel Alig (The Bet - 2019, Truth - 2020, Shadows - 2020), Tyrone Magnus (Dragon Ball Fusions - 2016), Londyn - 2018), Kelly Pantaleoni (Everyday Lies - 2014, Fall Into Me - 2016), and Maddison Bulllock (Westworld - 2016, 13 Reasons Why - 2019), amongst just a few of the badass ladies and gentleman that are sure to make this film a kick-ass thrill-ride from start to finish. I, for one, can’t wait to see what mayhem awaits.
Screen Nut will be bringing you all the latest updates as and when they are announced, so keep checking in, and prepare yourself for the fight.