Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson Starring in ‘Afterburn’

The pair will lead the cast of a post-apocalyptic thriller set a decade after a solar flare wiped out technology on the planet, with J.J. Perry directing.

(Left) (L to R) Dave Bautista as Duke Cody in 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.' Photo: Courtesy of John Wilson/Netflix © 2022. (Right) Samuel L. Jackson in 'Argylle,' directed by Matthew Vaughn.

Preview:

Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson will star in ‘Afterburn’.
It’s a post-apocalyptic tale of survival without technology.
The movie is being directed by ‘Day Shift’ filmmaker J.J. Perry.

They’ve both been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Dave Bautista (who brought Drax the Destroyer to life) and Samuel L. Jackson (key connective tissue Nick Fury since the end credits of ‘Iron Man’) have rarely spent any screen time together.

That’s set to change thanks to a new post-apocalyptic thriller that has Bautista starring and Jackson among its supporting cast. ‘Afterburn’ promises to put them into a whole new world.

What’s the story of ‘Afterburn’?

Dave Bautista in 'Knock at the Cabin,' directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

Based on the Red 5 Comics graphic novel by Scott Chitwood, Paul Ens and artist Wayne Nichols, ‘Afterburn’ is set 10 years after a solar flare has wiped out technology across the globe.

Bautista will play ex-soldier Jake, who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission is to team with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first –– all while avoiding mutated creatures that roam the territory.

Jackson will play the supporting role of freedom fighter Valentine.

Who is making ‘Afterburn’?

Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski in 'Day Shift.' Photo: Parrish Lewid/Netflix.

J.J. Perry, who made Netflix vampire action/comedy ‘Day Shift’ is aboard to direct, and the movie will mark his second time working with Bautista, since the actor appeared in Perry’s most recent film, upcoming ‘The Killer’s Game’. That one sees him playing a world-weary assassin who has taken a hit out on himself, only to discover his girlfriend is pregnant. Together, they race across Europe trying to outrun people looking to kill him.

‘Afterburn’ is one that has been on the minds of producers Neal H. Moritz and Toby Jaffe for some time, as they’ve been looking to get this one made since at least 2018. It’ll finally kick off shooting this April in Europe.

Here’s what Toby Jaffe said about the movie:

“Afterburn is a terrific action story, combining the fun of Indiana Jones with the near future world building of ‘Children of Men.’ J.J. is going to bring this to life in a thrilling way, using real practical stunt work to create authentic, visceral set pieces. Dave is one of the leading action stars in the world today, as well as being an actor with real soul and versatility. So excited to be making ‘Afterburn’ with them both.”