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Soderbergh and MMA Actress Set to 'Knockout' Audiences

by Ethan Anderton
September 6, 2009

Steven Soderbergh's latest film The Informant! just premiered at the Venice Film Festival a few days ago and will open in wide release starting on September 18th, but the writer/director is already busy on his next project. Variety reports Soderbergh will next direct the spy thriller Knockout which will also see the feature film debut of Gina Carano (seen above), a mixed martial arts circuit fighter. The story (which is said to be a flat out action movie in James Bond fashion) follows a tough girl from the wrong side of the tracks who takes the opportunity to use a special set of skills in a more focused, constructive environment.

Soderbergh discovered Carano on the MMA circuit, taking note of action-star toughness and her ravishing good looks. But Soderbergh knows that a pretty unknown face leading an action thriller can only go so far, and he intends to surround the newcomer with plenty of name actors in supporting roles. The script was written by Lem Dobbs (who previously wrote The Limey and Kafka for Soderbergh)y. Cameras are set to roll in January, with filming locations in the US, Turkey and Ireland. I'll be very interested to see who Soderbergh gets to support this rookie actress, and pray that she doesn't fight any of them. Sound good?

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

Brian Barajas

definite hottie, but whether she can act is a different story. first sasha grey, now gina carano, i think soderbergh is just getting random girls he thinks are hot and making movies around them.
Sancho

Gina Carano is hot, now since she lost her last match im sure she wont be fighting for a while while doing this
Richard

Shes defiantly awesome, but a good actor? Not sure about that she always seems shy and unsure in front of the camera as it is, even tho it loves her, so who knows.
seanathan

i can understand wanting to put her in a movie, she's gorgeous and an amazing fighter. but to build a movie AROUND her is ridiculous. this feels in the vein of rodman or joe green, where you're hoping their sports' appeal will be enough to draw in a good box office. but take it from Simon Sez, it's not. side note- i will still see this movie. i mean, she's like really, really, hot
Spider

She's HOT and I trust Soderbergh's talent. He obviously sees far beyond her foxxy looks and believes in her.
Xerxex

Hey lets be fair she put up a good fight against Cyborg, She stuck in damaged her and just got unlucky, no where near an ass kicking as people are making it seem like, I like the idea and I can buy Carano as an actress, I say let it happen!
smacky63

BORING
http://www.comichacks.com Chris @ ComicHacks.com

Is this based off of the Vertigo comic series Codename: Knockout found here? http://www.comicvine.com/codename-knockout-the-devil-you-say-part-1/37-76145/ Just curious.
Klaus

How was her acting in Command and Conquer? I didn't play the game but she appeared in that.
Brandon

Yawn, indeed. The world needs another decent MMA JuJitsu flick. First decent one being Redbelt. Get Kyra Gracie!!! http://www.graciekyra.com/
Greedo

Soderbergh is just signing on for everything, isn't he?
http://film-book.com/ Film-Book dot Com

Can't wait to see her on the big screen. Gina Carano's latest fight. Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Fight: Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos http://film-book.com/tv-review-strikeforce-womens-featherweight-fight-gina-carano-cristiane-cyborg-santos/
Archaic

This isn't a boxing movie...it's a spy thriller! I'm sure Gina will do a good job. I'm excited, can't wait to see who else will be cast.