Following his strong indie beginnings with films like Blue Ruin and Green Room, director/writer Jeremy Saulnier found his fourth film Rebel Ridge in production issues for three years. Ironically, it wasn't the usual chestnut of struggle to find funding as the film is being produced by Netflix who produced his previous film, Hold the Dark (2018). In fact, it was everything but money issues. Following production being postponed in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film saw itself halted in June 2021 after just restarting production in Louisiana the previous month when lead star John Boyega left the project due to "family reasons". (Thought there were rumors about his onset behavior and not liking the script) It wasn't until Aaron Pierre was recast in Boyega's role later that year in October that the film managed to finish production in 2022. Now, in a new interview with U.K. outlet Film Stories, Saulnier has confirmed the movie is finally in post-production while going into more detail about the production issues that halted his newest film, commenting how the film’s turbulent production saw him “slamming right into the Hollywood I’ve tried to avoid.”
Described by Saulnier as a “high-velocity thriller that explores systemic American injustices through bone-breaking action sequences, suspense, and dark humor," Saulnier described the making of Rebel Ridge as “tumultuous," summing up the production stalls as “We came back three years in a row to make that movie." In regards to Boyega dropping out of production, Saulnier simply described that as “an issue that shut us down in year two.” Though Saulnier found it a positive thing, remarking on new lead Pierre in a positive light though remarking this will without a doubt be his most expensive film to-date because of the production issues:
“Whatever happened to us along the way, it allowed us to cast a young man, Aaron Pierre, who’s on the rise, who would not normally be allowed to [lead] a—I think the budget’s $40M, $37M, whatever it is – [film]."
In relation to giving details about the film's ideas and story, Saulnier noted Rebel Ridge was the opposite of the isolation theme that he presented in Hold the Dark remarking, “The latest movie [Rebel Ridge] is the opposite – it’s actually hurling someone headlong into… it’s still a small town, but it is bureaucracy, it is the justice system, it is a militarized police force." He went into further detail, saying:
“All these things that go down. But it’s a lot of interactivity and talking and fighting. And it’s much more thrust into the mix. So maybe I had my fill of [isolation], and I wanted to go a different direction.”
With the film finally in post-production and set to be released soon, Saulnier once again took the optimistic route by noting the extra allowed him to make the first film he wasn't stressing over:
“I think I’ve had enough time with it...It had a tumultuous birthing process, but because of that, it’s my first movie where I’m fully at peace with it at the release point—whatever that might be, we have not found the release date yet. With Rebel Ridge, I’m like, ‘No, it’s not a perfect film, but man, it’s the best it can be’… For me to call my agent and say, ‘Hey, guess what? Like, this film isn’t at all a piece of shit’ is a big step forward. So I’m very excited to share it.”
It's speculated the film will release on Netflix in 2025 as Netflix has already revealed much of its 2024 slate. So, if you're a fan of Saulnier's indie-style action thrillers, the wait will FINALLY be almost over. Stay tuned!
You guys remember when Minkowski got everyone to watch Blue Ruin? Good times.