Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo to Star in Action Film 'Panama'

Morgan Freeman and Frank Grillo will star in Daniel Adams’ action film “Panama,” Highland Film Group announced Thursday.

Adams and William R. Barber penned the script for the film, which will be produced by Michelle Chydzik Sowa and Michelle Reihel, with Barber also serving as executive producer. Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales for the title that will be introduced to buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival next month.

“Panama,” inspired by true events, is set in 1989 and follows James Becker (Grillo), a rugged ex-marine who is sent undercover by his former commander (Freeman) to execute a high-value deal. He must navigate through the local civil war to fight assassins and court femme fatales. Principal photography is set to begin in November.

Also Read: Frank Grillo and Joe Carnahan's Warparty Partners With China's Starlight Entertainment Group

Freeman won an Academy Award for his performance in “Million Dollar Baby” and is known for his roles in “Shawshank Redemption,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Lucy,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Invictus” and many more. He can currently be seen in “Angel Has Fallen.” He is represented by CAA.

Grillo’s credits include the “Captain America” and “Purge” franchises, as well as “Warrior” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” He also recently starred in the brawl thriller “Donnybrooke,” which debuted at TIFF last year. He will next be seen in “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” alongside Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. He is represented by CAA and Management 360.

Also Read: Netflix Acquires Worldwide Rights to Frank Grillo Action Thriller 'Wheelman'

Adams’ credits include “The Lightkeepers,” “The Golden Boys” and most recently “An L.A. Minute.” He is represented by Claire Best & Associates.

Morgan Freeman: 8 Things You Didn't Know About Him (Photos)

Morgan Freeman is quite possibly the most well known actor around and if you haven't seen him you've definitely heard him.

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He Was in the Military

Morgan Freeman joined the Air Force in 1955, right after graduating from high school. He worked as a radar technician until 1959.
(U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jennifer Moore)
He Was a Dancer

Freeman's first paid show business job was a dancer in the 1964 World's Fair.
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He Owns a Club

The Oscar-winning actor co-owns a blues club and restaurant with his friend Bill Luckett. The bar is called Ground Zero and it's in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
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He performed on Broadway

Morgan Freeman made his Broadway debut in an all-black cast of "Hello, Dolly" in 1967 alongside Pearl Bailey.
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He Worked as a Clerk Typist

When Freeman was still trying to make it as an actor in New York, he took jobs as a clerk typist to pay his rent.
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He's a beekeeper

In 2014, Morgan Freeman came on the "Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" and said that he started to keep bees and described how he feeds his bees -- and surprisingly doesn't need to wear a special outfit to protect himself because he resonates with the bees.
NBC
He almost died from pneumonia

When Freeman was 16 years old, an abscess developed on his lungs from contracting pneumonia. He almost died when the abscess burst.
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His Top 5 Movies

Morgan Freeman has said that there are five movies that have changed his life: "The Shawshank Redemption," "Bruce Almighty," "Driving Miss Daisy," "Lean on Me," and "Million Dollar Baby."
Castle Rock Entertainment