If you thought the COVID-19 prevention protocols for sporting events and late-night talk shows were intense just wait until you hear what Netflix has imposed on the set of their upcoming action flick RED NOTICE. After recently defeating the effects of COVID-19 himself, Dwayne Johnson took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming film, along with the production's "very aggressive" measures for assuring that the project's cast and crew are safe from potential infection.
One of the reasons that RED NOTICE is operating on high alert is likely due to the fact that the film stars some of the biggest names in Hollywood working today including Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds. Not to say that other stars aren't just as important, they are, but one simply does not tempt the fates when hosting three of Tinseltown's star players.
Directed and written by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE and SKYSCRAPER helmer Rawson Marshall Thurber, RED NOTICE will be a globetrotting action-thriller centered around an Interpol agent (Johnson) in pursuit of the world's greatest art thief (Gadot) who must team up with the world's most notorious conman (Reynolds) in order to get the job done.
Originally slated for a 2020 release with Legendary and Universal, RED NOTICE was then sold to Netflix. “I’m beyond thrilled to be making Red Notice with Scott Stuber and Netflix — a company that believes in filmmakers and big ideas for a global audience,” said Thurber about the switch. To which Johnson then said, “With Red Notice, our goal at Seven Bucks Productions was to break down traditional barriers and create a true global event for the audience. Netflix has illustrated that they are the perfect partners to accomplish this goal. I admire the ambition of Netflix to become one of the biggest movie studios in the world. Their original content generates critical acclaim and invites full collaboration on every level of production. Their unbridled enthusiasm for Red Notice is equally matched by their commitment to entertaining audiences on an international scale. As the landscape of movies, distribution and audience consumption continues to evolve, our Seven Bucks focus is to continue to find the best platform and partners to thrive in this ever changing environment. Director/writer Rawson Thurber has delivered a dynamic script that me and my co-stars and partners-in-heist, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds, can’t wait to shoot. The fun we’re gonna have making Red Notice, but more importantly – the fun the worldwide audience will have watching it in 190+ countries – all at the same moment.”
Production began on RED NOTICE earlier this year, though progress was halted once the coronavirus pandemic had picked up steam. Now, several months later, filming has resumed with cast and crew going above and beyond to assure their own safety.
Earlier this month, Johnson had revealed he previously tested positive for COVID-19. The box office behemoth has since recovered from the ordeal but remains vigilant when venturing outside his home. The fact of the matter is that there's still a lot left to learn about the after-effects of the coronavirus, so caution remains paramount to survival at all times. Thankfully, the set of RED NOTICE sounds like it's got its act together and that its cast and crew are in great and careful hands.