Samuel L. Jackson is set to transition from film to television with his upcoming series, NOLA King, a spinoff of Tulsa King, which is part of Taylor Sheridan’s expanding narrative universe. This project marks Jackson’s debut as the lead in a TV series throughout his illustrious career. He introduces his character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., which was first seen in the latest season of Tulsa King, prominently starring Sylvester Stallone. Despite this shift to television, Jackson remains actively engaged in the film industry, recently completing work on the movie Just Play Dead alongside Eva Green.
Just Play Dead, which has concluded filming in the Canary Islands, is directed by the accomplished Martin Campbell, known for helming iconic films like Goldeneye, Casino Royale, and The Mask of Zorro. The film features a talented cast, including Jackson, Academy Award-nominee Eva Green, known for her roles in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and 300: Rise of an Empire, as well as Maria Pedraza from Netflix’s Money Heist, and Jason Fernandez.
The plot revolves around a wealthy criminal mastermind, Jack Wolfe, portrayed by Jackson, who concocts a scheme to fake his own death in hopes of claiming a substantial $30 million life insurance payout. However, his wife, Nora (played by Green), has her own devious plans up her sleeve, aiming to kill him for real and keep the fortune for herself. As deception unfolds, both characters engage in a high-stakes game of wits, raising the suspenseful question of who will ultimately triumph in this deadly contest.
A recently unveiled image captures the intriguing dynamics between Jackson and Green, revealing a moment of tension as Green’s character appears distressed while Jackson seems to hold the advantage. His look also invokes memories of his iconic role as Ordell Robbie from Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown.
Producers for the film include Phil Hunt of Head Gear Films, recognized for his work in A24’s Talk to Me, alongside Valentin Dimitrov from Gemstone Films and others, all contributing to this exciting new project that promises to deliver a thrilling narrative and complex character dynamics.