Astria Studios has joined in co-financing and executive producing the upcoming crime thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Beharie, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, Ethan Embry, LisaGay Hamilton and LaChanze.

‘By Any Means’ is based on the incredible true story of the notorious mafia hitman (Wahlberg) who was hired by Hoover’s FBI off-the-books and partnered with a young Black special agent (Abdul-Marteen II) to hunt down those responsible for the murders of civil rights leaders in 1966 Mississippi.

After seeing his first narrative feature The Inspection garner rave reviews in 2022, director Elegance Bratton is getting back behind the camera for By Any Means, a true-life crime thriller starring Oscar nominees Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) and Yahya Abdul-Marteen II (Wonder Man) for Hammerstone Studios, Thunder Road, Freedom Principle, and North.Five.Six.

Alex Lebovici is producing for Hammerstone Studios, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Thunder Road Films, Chester Algernal Gordon for Freedom Principle, Stephen Levinson, and Wahlberg under his Closest to the Hole Production banner. Executive producers are Kevin G. Lee and Jesse fox for Astria Studios, Jonathan Oakes for Hammerstone, Michael Rothstein, Samuel Hall, and Warren Goz for North.Five.Six., Adam Kolbrenner, Sascha Penn, Waylen Lin, Zach Zhang, Logan Coles, and Lee Broda of LB Entertainment. WME Independent and CAA Media Finance co-represent U.S. rights.

Abdul-Mateen II is coming off of production on Marvel’s miniseries Wonder Man, where he plays the title role, as well as Netflix’s series Man on Fire, based on the books by A.J. Quinnell.

An Emmy winner for his work on HBO’s Watchmen, the actor broke out with his work there, and in such projects as Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, a pair of Aquaman films, and The Greatest Showman. He is represented by M88, WME, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole.

“’By Any Means’ is truly one of those special projects that you can’t believe is actually based on a true story,” said Bright White Light CEOs Godfrey and Cortese. “We are so grateful to have been invited by Alex, Basil and Erica to be part of this exceptional production and that we were able to add some additional value to the already impressive cast, director, producers and financiers.”

The film completed production last year and is currently in post-production.