Painter: Amber Midthunder and Walton Goggins Join Forces in Action-Packed Thriller

Get ready for some serious action! Amber Midthunder and Walton Goggins are officially set to star in Painter, a brand-new action flick penned by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and executive-produced by the legendary James Cameron.

TL;DR

• Dynamic Duo: Amber Midthunder (Prey) and Walton Goggins (Fallout) lead the cast of Painter.
• Action Pedigree: The film boasts a script from John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and has James Cameron onboard as an executive producer.
• Stunt Pro at the Helm: Veteran stunt coordinator Garrett Warren, known for films like Logan and Avatar, is making his feature directorial debut.

The High-Octane Action Thriller: What to Expect from Painter's Story

Picture this: a thrilling new action movie called Painter just got acquired by 20th Century Studios, and it's bringing some serious talent to the table! We're talking about a script from Derek Kolstad, the mastermind behind the kinetic world of John Wick and the bone-crunching fun of Nobody. If you love those films, you already know Kolstad has a magic touch when it comes to crafting high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled stories.

Adding another layer of blockbuster pedigree, the one and only James Cameron — yes, the visionary director behind Avatar and Terminator — is stepping in as an executive producer. His involvement immediately signals that this isn't just any action movie; it's a project with serious ambitions and the potential for a massive scope. Cameron's eye for groundbreaking action and immersive worlds could very well shape the direction and feel of Painter in exciting ways.

So, what's the story all about? Painter centers on a young woman who, having been rigorously trained from a young age, finds herself in a desperate situation. She needs to "employ every skill in her arsenal" to rescue her father after he's been kidnapped. Sounds like a classic, high-octane rescue mission, but with Kolstad's flair for intricate action and character-driven stakes, you can bet it'll be anything but ordinary.

Meet the Powerhouse Cast: Amber Midthunder and Walton Goggins Team Up

Leading this promising new franchise is Amber Midthunder, who exploded onto the action scene with her critically acclaimed role as Naru in 2022's Prey. Her performance as a fierce Comanche warrior proved she's got what it takes to carry a major action film, and fans have been eager to see her in more leading roles. In Painter, she'll play the highly trained young woman at the heart of the story, tasked with saving her father.

Speaking of her father, that role is going to be filled by the incredibly versatile and celebrated character actor, Walton Goggins. If you've seen him in anything from Justified to The Shield, The Hateful Eight, or more recently, stealing every scene as The Ghoul in Fallout, you know he brings a unique intensity and charisma to every character he embodies. His casting opposite Midthunder promises a compelling dynamic, as he takes on the role of the kidnapped father.

Interestingly, Reacher star Alan Ritchson was originally attached to play the father, but he had to step down due to scheduling conflicts. While Ritchson would have undoubtedly brought his own brand of action heroics, Goggins' casting adds a different, perhaps more nuanced, layer to the character, making the film even more intriguing.

"Painter will be a seminal action hero film, making Midthunder into this generation's Sarah Connor (Terminator). We loved Kolstad's high-octane script, and we know, with Garrett Warren at the helm, this film will kickstart an exciting new franchise in the world of action."

— Drew Simon, President of Production for Infrared Pictures

Behind the Scenes of Painter: A Stunt Coordinator's Directorial Debut

Steering this action-packed ship is Garrett Warren, who is making his feature directorial debut with Painter. But don't let "debut" fool you – Warren is far from a newcomer to the world of movie magic. He's a veteran stunt coordinator with an impressive resume, having worked on massive films like Logan, James Cameron's own Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, and the recent Road House reboot.

This background as a stunt coordinator is particularly exciting for an action film. Think about John Wick, which was co-directed by Chad Stahelski, also a former stunt coordinator. This pedigree often means a director intimately understands how to craft impactful, innovative, and visually stunning action sequences. Warren's experience on some of Hollywood's biggest productions means he's learned from the best, and he's now ready to bring that expertise to his own vision for Painter. The fact that he's worked with Cameron directly on the Avatar films adds another layer of trust and understanding to their collaboration on this project.

It's also worth noting that Goggins and Warren have crossed paths before, having both been involved in Steven Spielberg's historical biopic Lincoln. While a period drama might seem far removed from a modern action thriller, it speaks to the deep connections within the film industry and the respect these professionals have for each other's craft.

Why Painter Could Be Your Next Favorite Action Franchise

With Derek Kolstad's proven track record for building engaging action franchises (hello, John Wick and Nobody!), and the visionary James Cameron lending his executive producing power, there's a strong chance Painter isn't just a one-off movie. Drew Simon of Infrared Pictures, one of the production companies behind the film, even stated that Painter "will be a seminal action hero film, making Midthunder into this generation's Sarah Connor."

That's a bold comparison, placing Midthunder in the league of Linda Hamilton's iconic Terminator character, but it speaks volumes about the confidence the creative team has in her and the story. If successful, this film could indeed "kickstart an exciting new franchise in the world of action," giving us new heroes and a universe to explore for years to come. The blend of a highly skilled female protagonist, a personal mission, and a team of action experts behind the camera certainly bodes well for its future.

More From the Stars: What Else Our Lead Actors Are Up To

Both Amber Midthunder and Walton Goggins are having incredibly busy and successful years, with Painter just one of many exciting projects on their slates. Midthunder recently appeared opposite Jack Quaid in the Paramount action movie Novocaine and in A24’s thriller Opus, showcasing her range beyond just action. Looking ahead, she's also set to star in a Prime Video series adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel, Carrie.

Walton Goggins, as mentioned, is in the midst of a "zenith year" that shows no signs of stopping. He was a definite highlight in the third season of HBO's The White Lotus, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Fans also got to see him reprise his hilariously deplorable role as Baby Billy Freeman in the fourth and final season of The Righteous Gemstones. And if you're like us, you're eagerly awaiting his return as the fan-favorite character, The Ghoul (aka Cooper Howard), in the second season of Amazon's hit series Fallout, which is set to drop on Prime Video on December 17. He also appeared in the film The Uninvited, directed by his wife Nadia Conners, which premiered at SXSW.

Interestingly, his recent ubiquity even prompted a humorous comment from Pete Davidson, who suggested Goggins might be in "danger of becoming over-exposed," jokingly predicting fans would "turn" on him like they did with Pedro Pascal. But let's be real, with performances this good, we doubt anyone's going to tell Walton Goggins to "go away" anytime soon!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Upcoming Action Movie Painter

When is Painter expected to be released?

As of now, 20th Century Studios has not announced a release date for Painter. Production details are still emerging, so keep an eye out for updates!

Who is directing the movie Painter?

Painter will be directed by Garrett Warren, a highly experienced veteran stunt coordinator. This marks his feature directorial debut, following his extensive work on major films like Logan and the Avatar franchise.

What is the plot of Painter about?

The film centers on a young woman, trained from an early age, who must use all her skills and training to rescue her father after he is kidnapped. Amber Midthunder plays the young woman, and Walton Goggins plays her father.

Is Painter connected to the John Wick universe?

No, Painter is not explicitly connected to the John Wick universe. However, it shares creative DNA as it is written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of John Wick, and directed by a stunt coordinator, similar to John Wick's director Chad Stahelski. This suggests it will likely have a similar high-quality, intense action style.

Sources for "Painter" Movie News and Cast Updates

• The Hollywood Reporter - Walton Goggins Joins Amber Midthunder in Action Movie ‘Painter,’ James Cameron Executive Producing
• MovieWeb - Painter: Walton Goggins joins Amber Midthunder in action movie from John Wick creator
• ScreenRant - Walton Goggins & Amber Midthunder Join James Cameron's Painter Cast
• The Times of India - Walton Goggins, Amber Midthunder team up for Painter; Garrett Warren directs, James Cameron joins
• BANG Premier / Inkl - Walton Goggins to star in Painter