After previously helming two films of questionable quality with SUICIDE SQUAD (2016) and the action thriller BRIGHT for Netflix, filmmaker David Ayer is looking to really turn some heads when his upcoming crime drama THE TAX COLLECTOR goes to screen. According to Deadline, Ayer's latest has recently found a home for U.S. theatrical distribution with RLJE Films, a division of AMC Networks. The project stars HONEY BOY and PEANUT BUTTER FALCON actor Shia LaBeouf, as well as Bobby Soto (THE QUARRY, NARCOS: MEXICO), Cinthya Carmona (EAST LOS HIGH), and George Lopez (VALENTINE'S DAY, THE ADVENTURES OF SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL 3D), for a Cross Creek Pictures and Cedar Park co-production.
Written and directed by Ayer, THE TAX COLLECTOR will introduce audiences to David (Soto) and Creeper (Shia LaBeouf), two “tax collectors” who work for the crime lord Wizard, collecting his cut from the profits of local gangs’ illicit dealings. But when Wizard’s old rival returns to Los Angeles from Mexico, the business is upended, and David finds himself desperate to protect what matters more to him than anything else: his family.
“We are lucky to have an amazing caliber of actors and writer/director David Ayer on The Tax Collector,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer of RLJE Films. “Audiences will be awed and entertained by the talent they will see on the screen with this intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller.”
In talking about his newly-acquired partnership with RLJE, Ayer said he was, “very excited to work with RLJE Films and AMC Networks on The Tax Collector. RLJE Films’ past and current slate reflect their singular vision and desire to push the bounds of creative storytelling. We couldn’t be more excited to share the film with audiences this summer.”
In recent times, RLJE Films has delivered some truly bizarre cinematic experiences with directors Panos Cosmatos and Casper Kelly's MANDY, as well as COLOR OUT OF SPACE, both of which are led by the forever-entertaining Nicolas Cage. To say that either film leaves a bold impression on your mind's eye would be a gross understatement, so here's hoping that Ayer's THE TAX COLLECTOR also offers viewers a visceral and twisted cinematic experience. We'll be checking the film out for sure, because that's what we do. Will you? Let us know if you're excited to see how Ayer's latest project shakes out in the comments section below. Also, for the record, I enjoyed the pants off of SUICIDE SQUAD. Warts and all!