Edward James Olmos named his latest project, “Mettle,” a foray into the superhero genre film conceived by Bob Layton and Michael D. Olmos.
At Comicpalooza 2011, respected activist, actor, director and producer Edward James Olmos announced a superhero project entitled “Mettle.”
His collaborators on the project for Olmos Productions will be his son, producer/co-creator Michael Olmos and screenwriter/co-creator Bob Layton (IRON MAN co-creator of the legendary comic saga, “Demon In A Bottle” and creator of Valiant and Future Comics).
EJO will star in and produce this big budget movie, stating, “This story will do for the super-hero genre what Battlestar Galactica did for sci-fi on television.”
There will also be comic books based on the character, to be published prior to the release of the full-length feature film.
Olmos commented, “We’ve been trying to develop this project over the years with a variety of well-known writers, but never found the right take…until we read Bob’s pitch.”
Writer Bob Layton spoke, saying, “‘Mettle’ is an action film project that Michael and Edward approached me to write after I finished the screenplay for ‘The Helix’ for them. Trust me, we’re going to put stuff up on the screen that hasn’t been done before in the super-hero genre. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
“Mettle” deals with a former superhero and Vietnam vet who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. When circumstances draw Carl Castillo back into the same conflict that crippled him twenty years before, he has to deal with overcoming his disorder and facing his most fearsome enemy–without his super powers.
Layton revealed the logline for the film, stating, “When you have nothing to live for–find something to die for!”
Concerning the story, Producer Michael Olmos said, “It has a killer ending. Maybe better than SEVEN’s. A killer opening, too.”
“This will not be your typical super-hero flick.” says Layton, “All three of us are dedicated to creating character-driven stories. This will be a credible, poignant and intense look into what makes, or breaks, a hero.”
EJO and Michael Olmos also professed their great love of the comic genre in general – “You should see my garage,” Olmos said, pointing towards his son Michael. “$500? For a comic book?”
Olmos Productions began in 1980 with the production of The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. Started by Actor/Producer/Director, Edward James Olmos, the company continues to produce many landmark films such as Stand and Deliver for Warner Bros., My Family (Mi Familia) for New Line Cinema, American Me for Universal Studios, Roosters for American Playhouse, and Mirages for MCA/Universal, and Walkout for HBO. It has also produced several documentaries, including Lives in Hazard, which focuses on gang violence, and It Ain’t Love, which deals with the issue of date violence. These productions are the first two of a three part series on violence in America and its impact on youth. The third production will deal with gun violence. Olmos Productions is concerned with the high level of violence in our society and committed to doing its part in addressing this issue.
Olmos Productions is proud of its community service record. Throughout its history, it has helped to produce hundreds of public service announcements. The company is also involved in extensive outreach projects in communities across the country, ranging from gang and domestic violence to AIDS awareness. In 1999, the company produced Americanos: Latino Life in the United States a multi-platform project that chronicles the lives and contributions of the diverse Latino culture in the US. It included a traveling tour by The Smithsonian Institute, a photo book, a feature length documentary on HBO, a concert featuring Gloria Estefan, and a music CD featuring the contributions of 50 years of Latino rhythms on American music.
The company is moving into its next phase of evolution. As it aggressively develops projects to service its TV deal and its feature film division, it will launch into the new media markets this year – offering its unique multicultural mandate to the emerging market of cutting edge technologies and entertainment.
