Mario Van Peebles Directing Action-Thriller ‘If’

XLrator Media, Parkside Pictures and Tadross Media Group have announced a multi-picture production slate, which they will co-produce and distribute worldwide.

The first production under the pact will be the action-thriller “If,” with Mario Van Peebles directing from his own script. Van Peebles’ credits include “New Jack City,” “Empire” and the upcoming “USS Indianapolis.”

The story is described as being taken from recent headlines, and fashioned into its own morality tale putting a line down the middle of who is truly “righteous” and who is “criminal” and where the line crosses between the two.

The deal was announced by XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon, Parkside Pictures founding partners Danny Roth and Damiano Tucci, and TMG president Michael Tadross, Jr.

XLrator Media also teamed with New Artists Alliance in August for three sci-fi thrillers, including “Pandemic,” and banded with Benattar/Thomas in February for three action-thrillers, including “Paradox” and “The Last Heist.” Parkside Pictures is financing some of the films in those slates as well.

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