Jamie Foxx Produces Indie Crime Thriller 'East of the River'

Jamie Foxx has joined the indie crime thriller "East of the River" as a producer through his Foxxhole Productions, alongside producing partner Alex Marks. The announcement, made exclusively to Variety, lands with post-production already wrapped and global distribution rights on the market through CAA Media Finance.

So what does this change for the film? Foxx's name gives a finished indie feature a major-league champion heading into a crowded sales environment — exactly when a small poker drama needs one.

Who made it, and what's it about?

Dennis Latos directs. The story follows two estranged brothers who reunite to face the underground poker ring that destroyed their family. Elise Finnerty wrote the screenplay from a story by Jim Tamburino, and Ben Grant served as director of photography.

The cast is stacked for a film at this budget tier:

• Ben Barnes ("The Chronicles of Narnia" franchise, "The Punisher")
• Ben Ahlers ("The Gilded Age," "Little Brother")
• Callie Hernandez ("The Flight Attendant," "Alien: Covenant")
• Maria Sten, in her first film role since starring in television's "Neagley"
• David Zayas ("Dexter," "Dexter: Resurrection")
• John Bedford Lloyd ("Ozark," "The Bourne Supremacy")
• Catherine Curtin ("Stranger Things," "Orange Is the New Black")
• Nathan Wallace ("Daredevil: Born Again," "NCIS: Origins") and Steven Gregory ("Gravesend")

The film also casts against type: former WWE wrestler James Storm and former NFL running back Dalvin Cook appear in roles the source does not specify.

What are the producers saying?

The Foxx involvement is a family affair. Foxx and his daughter Corinne Foxx — who also serves as an executive producer — issued a joint statement with Marks: "We've been fans of Dennis since first discovering his short film, 'Leylak', where his command of character and storytelling immediately stood out. This film is a powerful continuation of that voice, and we're proud to support this exceptional project."

Latos framed the film's appeal in genre terms. "I wanted to capture the kinetic, dangerous energy of a world most people never see," he said. "This isn't just a story about poker, it's a high-octane look at what happens when you're backed into a corner and forced to gamble with your life. We've fused a gritty family drama with the pulse-pounding stakes of the criminal underworld to give the audience a cinematic experience that is both deeply felt and truly thrilling."

Executive producer David Schuster of Gloves Up Entertainment noted the project's local roots: "With Dennis and I originally being from Queens, this project is close to our hearts. I am grateful to our amazing producing partners, Jamie, Alex, Nicolas, Benjamin, and Elise."

Who else is behind it?

Beyond Foxx and Marks, the producing team includes Nicolas Alvo at Ruta 5 Films, Benjamin Wiessner at Vanishing Angle, plus Latos and Finnerty themselves. Executive producers also include Schuster, Steven Gregory, John Harms and Gerry Ambrose. Gloves Up Entertainment presents the film in association with Echo Bend Productions.

The talent representation runs deep across the cast — Barnes through Gersh, Luber Roklin Entertainment and ID Public Relations; Hernandez through Independent Artist Group and Entertainment 360; Sten through CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners — a signal of the industry interest the project has drawn even before securing distribution.

With post-production complete and CAA Media Finance handling sales, the next milestone is concrete: a global distribution deal, and a festival or release date to follow.