‘Shipwrecks of Sicily’ and ‘Superpower’ Producers Join ‘The Jet’ Documentary About Kickboxer Benny Urquidez

As a movie enthusiast with a penchant for documentaries that delve into the lives of extraordinary individuals, I am absolutely thrilled about the forthcoming production, “The Jet.” Having had the privilege of binge-watching the likes of Scorsese and Verdi, I can confidently assert that this collaboration between Verdi Productions, Public School Productions, and the esteemed Keanu Reeves, John Scalise, Fisher Stevens, and Jennifer Tiexiera promises a cinematic masterpiece.


Chad A. Verdi from Verdi Productions and Anthony Gudas and Aaron Kaufman of Public School Productions have teamed up with producers John Scalise, Keanu Reeves, and Fisher Stevens to create “The Jet,” a documentary that explores the life journey of Benny “The Jet” Urquidez.

At the moment, director Jennifer Tiexiera is working on the movie’s creation. Verdi, Gudas, and Kaufman are set to collaborate with Reeves, Maura Anderson, Zak Kilberg, and Scalise as the film’s producers.

Urquidez is renowned for shaping martial arts within popular culture, with his roles as an actor, fight choreographer, and celebrity trainer. He amassed a total of six world titles across five different weight classes, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout his prolific 20-year career in kickboxing.

Beyond being recognized for his martial arts skills, Urquidez is also well-known for his roles in action movies from the 1980s and 1990s. Among these films are “The Octagon,” “Road House,” and “Grosse Pointe Blank.” Over time, he has had the opportunity to work with and train stars such as Jackie Chan, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Kidman, Kurt Russell, Patrick Swayze, Nicolas Cage, Michelle Pfeiffer, Duff McKagan, and many more.

As I’ve wrapped up filming Martin Scorsese’s ‘Shipwrecks of Sicily’ in Italy, my team at Verdi Productions is thrilled to dive into another documentary project for our upcoming production lineup. We can’t wait to join forces with Johnny, Keanu, Fisher, and Jennifer in Rhode Island later in 2024, as we embark on this new adventure together!

It’s a privilege to welcome Verdi Productions as they help us narrate the extraordinary and seemingly unreal tale of an influential figure who spanned both Hollywood and martial arts realms. Benny is a unique icon whose impact has resonated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from the barrio to prestigious Hollywood studios. It’s truly motivating to have such distinguished figures supporting us as we breathe life into this project,” expressed Scalise.

Production of the new film kicks off in Rhode Island this November. The team from Verdi Productions – Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr, Paul Luba and Sera Verdi – will collaborate with Nancy Weisler, Brian Maya, Chris Quintos Cathcart, and Tyler Boehm on the project, which is tentatively set for release in 2025.

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2024-10-11 01:16