Jamie Foxx’s upcoming action thriller Deadlocked has expanded its ensemble with the addition of martial arts specialist Marko Zaror and actor Tyrik Johnson. The project, which is being produced for Amazon MGM Studios, is drawing significant interest from action fans due to its combination of established Hollywood star power and a creative team with deep roots in the martial arts genre.
Zaror is best known to international audiences for his standout performance as the relentless villain Chidi in John Wick: Chapter 4. His casting, reported by industry sources, adds a layer of physical intensity to the film, which is being directed by Nikhil Bhat. Bhat recently gained critical acclaim and international distribution for his 2023 Indian action film Kill, and Deadlocked marks his high-profile Hollywood directorial debut.
The film features Jamie Foxx in the lead role as a grieving former Marine who finds himself at the center of a high-stakes courthouse siege. The plot thickens when Foxx’s character, who is serving on a jury, must revert to his military training after a defendant’s daughter attempts to orchestrate a violent breakout to free her father. This “Die Hard-style” premise moves the action from the streets into the confined, legalistic environment of a metropolitan courthouse.
The growing cast also includes Sasha Calle, known for her role as Supergirl in The Flash, alongside KiKi Layne and Luke Hemsworth. While specific character details for Zaror and Johnson have not been fully disclosed, Zaror’s background suggests he may be involved in the film’s primary physical confrontations, given his extensive experience as a martial artist and stunt performer.
Deadlocked is being produced by Jamie Foxx under his Foxxhole Productions banner. The screenplay was co-written by Eric Scot Anderson and Matt Takejiro Bosack. The project fits into Foxx’s continued momentum in the action-thriller space following recent successes like Back in Action.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film for worldwide distribution, and it is expected to premiere on Prime Video. By bringing in talent like Zaror and Bhat, the production appears to be prioritizing high-caliber fight choreography and a visceral visual style, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional hostage thrillers and modern, stunt-heavy action cinema.
