There’s a particular kind of nerve in pivoting from actor to auteur on a story you clearly want to own—on the page, on set, and in the frame. Danny Ramirez (“Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) is doing exactly that with “Baton,” his feature directorial debut, which has begun production and just added a sizable new wave of cast.
The ensemble additions include Maia Reficco (“La Dolce Villa”), Diego Calva (“Babylons”), Camila Mendes (“Do Revenge”), Mía Maestro (“The Motorcycle Diaries”), Ester Expósito (“Elite”), Becky G (“Blue Beetle”), Noah Beck (“Sidelined”), and Lewis Pullman (“Thunderbolts”).
As described, the film follows a soccer player who relentlessly pursues a pro career and jeopardizes his relationship with his sister after being kicked off his team and sent back to Miami.
Behind the camera, the project is produced by Victoria Alonso (“Avengers: Endgame,” “Argentina, 1985”) via Mapuche, alongside Tom Culliver and Ramirez through Pinstripes, plus additional producing partners cited in the report; David Beckham and Nicola Howson executive produce for Studio 99.
On the business end, the package is positioned for the global market: Manifest Pictures is set to handle international sales and introduce the film to buyers at EFM, with WME Independent and CAA overseeing domestic.
