We’ve got some pretty exciting news this evening as Bloody Disgusting learned that The Lost director Chris Sivertson is getting back behind the camera with a new thriller that reteams him with actor Marc Senter. This time Senter acts as star and producer hiring Sivertson to write and direct Brawler, which is based on a true story. More details inside.
Described as in the vein of Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, Brawler follows two brothers competing in an underground circuit of illicit New Orleans riverboat brawls, struggling to survive their opponents, the crime boss they work for, and ultimately, each other.

Senter, who is a trained martial artists, will square off against his producing partner Nathan Grubbs (Privateer, Down in New Orleans ) in the ring.

The backstory is quite interesting as actors Marc Senter and Nathan Grubbs hired Sivertson to write the script based on a story Nate had heard growing up. Grubbs raised the money in his hometown of New Orleans to shoot the film.

We’re told that this was the trio’s way of taking the bull my its horns to make the kinds of movies they want to make. Something highly commendable in this industry.

Senter also stars in Cabin Fever 2, and can be seen in Simon Rumley’s SXSW festival hit Red White & Blue.

Sivertson’s Jack Ketchum adaptation The Lost received wide praise in the horror community and by major mags. Variety called The Lost “undeniably fascinating and deadly serious from start to finish” and raves that “Sivertson methodically ratchets up the suspense and yet, at the same time, introduces a trace of romantic tragedy.” This film played major festival and garnered critical acclaim for both Chris and lead actor Marc Senter. Marc won 3 best actor awards from Screamfest film festival, Fangoria, and Fantaspoa film festival in Brazil. Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Enhanced by Senter’s electrifying performance, the brash and bluntly amoral Ray is an enormously vivid movie monster” and Stuart Gordon (director, REANIMATOR) called Senter, “the best screen villain since Hannibal Lecter.”

Production starts May 22 in New Orleans.