In Fighting, the writer/director weaves a tale of two men headed straight for failure

New York native and Sundance Directing Award winner DITO MONTIEL (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) has long been on intimate terms with the complex city and its intricate rhythms. In Fighting, the writer/director weaves a tale of two men headed straight for failure…until they cross paths and realize each has exactly what the other needs for big success.

Small-town boy Shawn MacArthur (CHANNING TATUM, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Step Up, upcoming G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) has come to New York City with nothing. Barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, his luck changes when scam artist Harvey Boarden (TERRENCE HOWARD, Hustle & Flow, Iron Man, The Brave One) sees that he has a natural talent for street fighting. When Harvey offers Shawn help at making some real cash, the two form an uneasy partnership.
As Shawn’s manager, Harvey introduces him to the corrupt bare-knuckle circuit, where rich men bet on disposable pawns. Almost overnight, he becomes a star brawler. He learns he must fight his way—in a series of staggeringly intense bouts—through the city and take down local opponents who come at him with a variety of skills. But if Shawn ever hopes to escape the dark world in which he’s found himself, he must now face the toughest fight of his life.

Joining Montiel for the action film is producer KEVIN MISHER (upcoming Public Enemies, The Interpreter). The cast includes LUIS GUZMÁN (Traffic, Nothing Like the Holidays) as fight promoter Martinez; ZULAY HENAO (Grizzly Park, Racing for Time) as Shawn’s love interest, Zulay Valez; and BRIAN WHITE (Stomp the Yard, The Game Plan) as Shawn’s rival and former wrestling teammate Evan Hailey.

Rejoining Montiel are key members of his Saints team, including editor JAKE PUSHINSKY (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Columbus Day) and composers JONATHAN ELIAS (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Pathfinder: The Legend of the Ghost Warrior) and DAVID WITTMAN (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, The Tripper).
Joining the behind-the-scenes team are cinematographer STEFAN CZAPSKY (Blades of Glory, Batman Returns), production designer THÉRÈSE DEPREZ (Summer of Sam, upcoming Brooklyn’s Finest), editor SAAR KLEIN (Almost Famous, The Bourne Identity) and costume designers KURT AND BART (Shortbus, Phoebe in Wonderland). The film is written by Dito Montiel and ROBERT MUNIC (television’s Dawn Anna and The Cleaner).

LISA BRUCE (upcoming Case 39, A Lot Like Love) and ANDREW RONA (Scream 3, The Brothers Grimm) serve as executive producers.