Hardcore Henry (formerly Hardcore) is set to be released by STX Entertainment in the United States on April 8, 2016. The announcement was made today by Kevin Grayson, president of domestic distribution for the STX Entertainment Motion Picture Group. STX acquired the action thriller at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
“‘Hardcore Henry’ is one of the most original, adrenaline-filled moviegoing experiences to be presented in theaters in a long, long time,” says Oren Aviv, president and chief content officer for STX. “This film puts moviegoers into the story and experience in a fun and visceral new way with a first-person perspective that we really have not experienced before. Ilya Naishuller has delivered spectacular action and visual effects that you really need to see on a big screen.”
Hardcore Henry is an original film that was shot completely from the hero’s perspective. You remember nothing. Mainly because you’ve just been brought back from the dead by your wife (Haley Bennett). She tells you that your name is Henry. Five minutes later, you are being shot at, your wife has been kidnapped, and you should probably go get her back. Who’s got her? His name’s Akan (Danila Kozlovsky); he’s a powerful warlord with an army of mercenaries, and a plan for world domination. You’re also in an unfamiliar city of Moscow, and everyone wants you dead. Everyone except for a mysterious British fellow called Jimmy (Sharlto Copley.) He may be on your side, but you aren’t sure. If you can survive the insanity, and solve the mystery, you might just discover your purpose and the truth behind your identity. Good luck, Henry. You’re likely going to need it…
“The rights to the title Hardcore were unavailable for commercial use,” Aviv explains of the title change, “so we turned to Ilya and came up with ‘Hardcore Henry,’ which preserves the identity of the film, with the added benefit of personifying the unique hero at the center of this story.”
“‘Hardcore Henry’ is the perfect film to launch this Spring,” adds Grayson. “It is a genuine roller coaster ride with non-stop action and a completely distinctive look, feel, palate and cinematic texture. This is a movie going experience that will leave audiences talking long after they leave the theater.”
Hardcore Henry is produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Ilya Naishuller, Inga Vainshtein Smith, Ekaterina Kononenko and written and directed by Ilya Naishuller. The cast includes Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett, Andrey Dementyev, Dasha Charusha, and Sveta Ustinova.
You can check out a trailer from Hardcore Henry‘s initial IndieGoGo campaign in the player below. Be aware, however, that Hardcore Henry offers extreme action violence and viewer discretion is advised.
