Til Schweiger & Charlie Gillespie Join Cast of Underground Chess Thriller Contra
LOS ANGELES, CA – Til Schweiger and Charlie Gillespie have joined the cast of Contra, an upcoming action thriller centered on the high-stakes world of competitive chess.They will star alongside Kal Penn, Booboo Stewart, and Nicole Elizabeth Berger in the directorial debut of Emmy-nominated producer Artisha Mann-Cooper.
contra follows a young chess prodigy, played by Stewart, who becomes entangled in a risky underground chess circuit where each move has life-or-death consequences. Schweiger will portray “The wizard,” a reclusive mentor and adversary to the prodigy, guiding him through a psychological battleground. Gillespie will play the prodigy’s loyal friend, whose friendship is tested as the competition escalates.
schweiger’s previous work includes producing and directing films such as Knockin’ on Heaven’s door and Head Full of Honey, as well as roles in Atomic Blonde, King arthur, Inglourious Basterds, and guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Gillespie recently starred in Splitsville, which premiered at Cannes, and has the upcoming film Shattered Ice.
The screenplay for Contra is written by chess specialists Jerry Stokes and ahyende Sandy, with additional writing by Garrett Ratcliff and Luke Genton. Newcomers Nina Tang and d’Arquoia Connor are also featured in the ensemble cast and will co-produce.
“Til is a powerhouse.He brings an intensity and sophistication that perfectly embodies this world. His presence elevates every scene, he’s the kind of actor who makes everyone around him better,” Mann-Cooper stated.
Producers on Contra include Sasha Yelaun,Jeremy O’Keefe,Burns Burns,Damon H. Chung, Nick Theurer, Kevin Weisberg, and Ryan Martin. Executive producers are Jonathan J. Cooper, Fon Paing, Ego Mikitas, Alex Wice, Tara Lucia Prades, and Galen Christy. Rebel Raider Media is handling international sales.
Schweiger is represented by Independent Artist Group and Luminary Partners. Gillespie is repped by Vanderwerff Talent, David Dean Management, and Emily Downs at Meyers Downs.
