Two MCU veterans are teaming up for the first time. Deadline reports Samuel L. Jackson and Dave Bautista will star in Afterburn, an adaptation of the Red 5 graphic novel set in a post-apocalyptic future. The comic was created by Scott Chitwood and Wayne Nichols.
Afterburn takes place one year after a solar flare wipes out all technology around the world. Bautista will take on the lead role of Jake, an ex-soldier “who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission is to team with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first.”
Jackson will take on the supporting role of Valentine, a freedom fighter.
A producer on the film is Neal H. Moritz of the Fast & Furious franchise. This is a longtime passion project for him and the other producers, who first tried to get the film going in 2018.
The action picks up when Jake and his fellow treasure hunters venture into the Burn Zone, facing mutants, rival raiders, and more to secure big payoffs.
Behind the camera is director JJ Perry, a former actor who previously directed Jamie Foxx in the underrated vampire film, Day Shift. He and Bautista are familiar with one another as they recently wrapped up the action-comedy, The Killer’s Game.
Filming on Afterburn is to begin in April. Coming up for Bautista is Dune: Part Two and the My Spy sequel. Jackson can be seen in theaters right now in Argylle.
