RLJE Films has picked up the North American distribution rights to the futuristic action thriller Apex, the latest of many cinematic takes on Richard Connell’s 1924 short story The Most Dangerous Game. This time around, it’s Bruce Willis who’s being hunted by other humans, with his co-stars including Neal McDonough (Ravenous), Lochlyn Munro (Freddy vs. Jason), Megan Peta Hill (Open Water 3: Cage Dive), and Wayne Gretzky’s son Trevor Gretzky (Spiral: From the Book of Saw). RLJE Films will be giving Apex a theatrical, VOD, and Digital release on November 12, 2021.
This film reunites Willis with Edward Drake, who directed him in Cosmic Sin. Drake also wrote Cosmic Sin with Corey Large, and the duo previously wrote the Willis film Breach together. Drake and Large wrote Apex together as well, crafting the following story:
Serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, ex-cop James Malone (Willis) is offered a chance at freedom if he can survive a deadly game of Apex. Six hunters pay for the pleasure of hunting another human on a remote island, but once Malone arrives all hell breaks loose. Laying traps and playing mind games, Malone tries to turn the tables and fight for his life and his future.
Large produced the film with Sean Patrick O’Reilly.
RLJE’s Mark Ward had this to say about the project:
This film brings a new twist to the definition of hunter versus prey. Bruce Willis and Neal McDonough go toe to toe with incredible intensity. We’re excited to bring this non-stop action thriller to audiences this fall.”
I never go into Bruce Willis movies with great expectations anymore, he has sleepwalked through too many of them at this point, and I don’t expect a lot from Apex. I do hope this will turn out to be an entertaining action flick, and that Willis put some life into his performance this time around.