KEVIN DILLON AND DERON HORTON DIG INTO “DIRT”
DUO TO STAR IN RACING DRAMA “DIRT” FOR FORREST LUCAS AND ALI AFSHAR’S ESX ENTERTAINMENT
Los Angeles, CA – May 4, 2016 – “Dirt” – the latest film from Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s ESX Entertainment, has found its leads in Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominee Kevin Dillon (HBO’s “Entourage,” ‘The Throaways”) and DeRon Horton (“Dirty Grandpa’).
Starring alongside Dillon and Horton are Christina Moore (“Running Wild”, “Searching For Fortune”), Matthew Glave (“Argo,” Bravo’s “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”), Dominic Devore (“Channeling”), Blake Heron (“11:14”), YouTube sensation Lexy Panterra and Devon Long.
Directed by Alex Ranarivelo (“Running Wild,” “American Wrestler,” “Born to Race” film series) from a script by Brian Rudnick and John Ducey, “Dirt” follows the story of 17-year-old Dez Truss (Horton) who is caught boosting cars for an auto-theft ring and is given one last chance to set his life straight by a compassionate mentor Captain Freeman. Freeman introduces Dez to former professional racecar driver- turned team owner Rick Radden (Dillon), who agrees to house and supervise Dez for the summer in exchange for manual labor. To avoid jail time and keep his 12- year-old sister out of the foster system, Dez begins working for Team Radden – Rick’s professional but underperforming Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series dirt racing team. Using the driving and engineering skills he learned under pressure while stealing cars, Dez becomes a vital member of the team, but not before his past threatens the safety of Rick’s family and livelihood.
“Dirt” is financed and produced by Forrest Lucas of ESX Entertainment with Ali Afshar serving as producer. Co-Producers are Christina Moore and Daniel Carrey.
Said Afshar, “This story is tailor made for Kevin and DeRon, playing to their strengths as strong, versatile, leading actors capable of creating and showcasing a bond that fuels the film.”
Forrest Lucas adds, “We’re continuing to produce films that have a powerful message that will not only entertain but also inspire audiences. We have been fortunate to have an incredibly talented cast attached to this film and know this story will resonate with people.”
The film is the fifth collaboration between Afshar and Lucas’s ESX Entertainment and director Alex Ranarivelo. They most recently teamed on the drama “Praying For Rain” starring Jane Seymour, which is currently in post-production.
Principal photography for “Dirt” will commence this month.
Dillon is represented by Gersh and Horton is represented by ICM Partners.
About ESX Entertainment
ESX Entertainment is a multifaceted entertainment company that develops, packages, finances and produces high-end, star-driven commercial projects telling inspiring and purpose driven stories.
The company was founded by Ali Afshar, the record-setting professional racecar driver, turned actor, turned movie producer (and now all three at once). Along with Afshar, it is run by Forrest Lucas, founder and owner of Lucas Oil Products, Inc., MAVTV, Lucas Cattle Company, and the naming rights to the Indianapolis Colts’ Stadium, “Lucas Oil Stadium”, and Protect the Harvest.
Under the stewardship of Afshar, ESX Entertainment develops/finances/produces anywhere from three to six projects a year across feature films and digital/television series. Budget ranges vary depending on the size and scope of the individual projects. Lucas and Afshar commit capital and resources to top filmmakers and showrunners, enabling them to make films and series that are competitive in the global marketplace.
In addition to “Dirt,” the company’s feature film slate includes the upcoming film “Running Wild” – a humanitarian drama starring Sharon Stone, Doran Brown and Tommy Flanagan; “The Dog Lover” – a social issue drama starring Lea Thompson, James Remar, Allison Paige and Jayson Blair and releasing July 8th; and “American Wrestler: The Wizard” – a heartfelt coming of age story of perseverance in the face of adversity, starring Jon Voight, William Fichtner, Gabriel Basso and Afshar. The film recently picked up a few accolades including Best Actor for George Kosturos and Honorary Director for Alex Ranarivelo at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
ESX Entertainment began as an automotive performance and racing team founded by Afshar. Under the ESX banner, Afshar raced for Subaru of America for over seven years. During this span, ESX became a 2-time NHRA National & World Champion Team, 18 time NHRA event champion, 2005 Rally America Champion (with Rocket Rally) and a world record holder.
After years of racing and also acting (Afshar’s film credits include “Three Kings,” “Godzilla” and “The Siege” while TV credits include “King of Queens” “JAG” and “NCIS” ), Afshar turned to producing movies and created his first full length feature titled “Born To Race” – a teen action film in the vein of “Fast and Furious” meets “Friday Night Lights.” Afshar tapped into his rich auto racing history and brought dozens of sponsors to support him in this film including, Subaru of America, NHRA, Pep Boys, Injen and more. “Born to Race” surprised audiences and exceeded sales around the world thus, the second producing endeavor in Afshar’s auto based films titled “Born to Race: Fast Track” was green lit. Afshar has a larger role in this film and acted alongside a great group of young actors including Diogo Morgado and Beau Mirchoff.
