JenniferEsposito Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Sony Pictures has just launched Stage 6 Films, "a label that will acquire and produce films for theatrical and straight-to-DVD release." The Variety announcement reports that Stage 6 will focus mostly on the DVD market, and on films budgeted at $1 to $10 million dollars. They've got a lot of movies on the horizon, with some pretty big stars involved. Conspiracy is an action flick starring Val "Iceman" Kilmer, Gary "Lumbergh" Cole, and Jennifer "Hot" Esposito. Thomas Jane is acting in and directing Dark Country (hope it's not a punisher!). The Stone House is a horror film starring Shane West and JK "Schillinger" Simmons. The Lodger stars Alfred Molina, whom I always picture in his underwear singing "Sister Christian." And Felon brings us even more Kilmer thrills, with Stephen Dorff and Harold Perrineau in tow.

And you know when you're talking direct-to-DVD, you're talking about some really random sequels. Stage 6 has announced a prequel (a prequel?) to this year's pretty cool horror flick Vacancy. There will also be a second Starship Troopers sequel -- Starship Troopers: Marauder, with Casper "Van Dien" Van Dien, Boris Kodjoe, and Jolene Blalock. Wesley Snipes will star in a sequel to the absolutely terrible action movie The Art of War, which I will refer to as The Art of War 2: Seriously? And Center Stage 2 will capitalize on the public's love of melodramatic teen dance dramas. I must confess a special place in my heart for the original Stage, because it led to a memorable high school back seat rendezvous. Put that quote on your poster, Sony! "Stage 6 will also continue to leverage our vast library of studio films, as we have done with Daddy Day Camp and the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise," threatens a Stage 6 executive.

Apparently the Val Kilmer-led indie Conspiracy is done shooting, but The Hollywood Reporter is only now reporting that Jennifer Esposito (Crash) is co-starring in the drama as Kilmer's love interest (the IMDb does have her listed in the cast, though not prominently). These kinds of late announcements can happen with independent films, which don't often get a lot of exposure or interest from the press. Even Variety's recent article on New Mexico's Film Investment Program, which spotlighted Conspiracy, didn't have any word about the actress' involvement. According to THR, Esposito plays a single mother and former abused wife who falls for Kilmer's wounded Iraq War veteran, who has just arrived in town. The main plot of the film involves Kilmer's search for an old friend who is not only missing, but who seems to have been wiped from the memories of the townspeople.

In the end we probably find out that Kilmer's friend was kidnapped by aliens, because that seems to be one of Hollywood's favorite surprise endings these days. But this isn't a Hollywood movie, so I think we can be hopeful that it will be more interesting than that. Despite the stupid title and the unremarkable writer-director, Adam Marcus (Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday), this could be another decent little film, since Kilmer is typically enjoyable in any indie he stars in. Reportedly, the actor, who owns a ranch in New Mexico, agreed to star in the pic if it was shot in the state. The film's story actually takes place in Arizona. Conspiracy will probably hit some film festivals early next year and then get a limited release.