Marvel stars Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen are teaming up for a high-stakes cinematic ride in the upcoming action-thriller Barracuda. The film, which is scheduled to begin principal photography this week in Las Cruces, New Mexico, promises a relentless pace and a “Lone Wolf and Cub” dynamic between its two leads.
Mackie, who recently took over the mantle of Captain America in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World, will lead the cast as Karl, a former smuggler burdened by a haunted past. Keen, known for her roles in Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine, stars as Jodie, a kidnapped teenage girl whom Karl attempts to rescue from a nightclub in Mexico.
The project is helmed by director Neil Burger, recognized for his work on Divergent, Limitless, and The Illusionist. The production brings together a heavy-hitting creative team, including executive producer and Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis, to bring this desert-based chase film to the screen via Deadline.
Plot and Production Details
The narrative of Barracuda centers on a volatile rescue mission that spirals into a high-speed race for survival. According to the official synopsis, the story begins when Karl storms a Mexican nightclub to save Jodie, an act that triggers a “chain reaction of blood and bullets” stretching across 100 miles of dangerous roads toward the U.S. Border.
The stakes escalate significantly when Karl kills the brother of the club’s ruthless owner and makes off with a prized 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. This theft transforms the rescue into a desperate flight, leaving Karl and Jodie hunted by relentless criminals across the desert landscape with no way to sluggish down.
Director Neil Burger has expressed significant enthusiasm for the script, written by Adam Mason and Simon Boyes. Burger described the project as a “non-stop action thriller” and “out-of-control, relentless mayhem in a real-time sprint to the border.” He also noted that he had been seeking an opportunity to work with Mackie for some time via ScreenRant.
Cast and Creative Team
Beyond the lead duo of Mackie and Keen, the film features a supporting cast that includes Steven Bauer, known for Ray Donovan, and Anthony Del Negro from Running Point.
The production is a collaborative effort involving several companies and producers:
- Highland Film Group: Handling worldwide rights and co-representing domestic with UTA Independent Film Group. Produced by Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier, and Henry Winterstern.
- Image Movers: Produced by Jack Rapke and Aaron Rapke, with executive producer Isaac Lilly.
- K. Jam Media: Produced by Kia Jam.
- 828 Productions: Produced by Todd Lundbohm.
- R.U. Robot Studios: Produced by Peter Jákl.
- Joe Di Maio: Also serving as a producer.
Additional executive producers include Mark Holder and Christine Holder of Wonder Street, Bryan Coyne, Kyle Fox, and Walter Josten of Blue Rider Pictures.
Key Project Summary
| Role | Name/Entity |
|---|---|
| Director | Neil Burger |
| Lead Actors | Anthony Mackie, Dafne Keen |
| Screenwriters | Adam Mason, Simon Boyes |
| Executive Producer | Robert Zemeckis |
| Filming Location | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
Principal photography is currently underway in New Mexico. As the production moves forward, the industry will be watching to see how Burger’s vision of “real-time” mayhem translates to the screen with the combined star power of Mackie and Keen.
For more updates on Barracuda and other upcoming action releases, stay tuned to the World Today Journal entertainment section. We invite you to share your thoughts on this casting pairing in the comments below.