‘Shadow Force’: Victoria Mahoney to Direct the Action Movie!!

Victoria Mahoney, who became the first woman ever to direct on a Star Wars movie when she served as second unit director on The Rise of Skywalker, has been tapped to direct Lionsgate’s action-drama Shadow Force starring Sterling K. Brown and Kerry Washington.

Written by Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan, Shadow Force follows an estranged couple with a bounty on their heads who must go on the run with their son to avoid their former employer — a unit of shadow ops that has been sent to kill them.

Brown and Washington will produce via their respective companies Indian Meadows Productions and Simpson Street, while Stephen “Dr.” Love will produce under his Made with Love Media banner. Simpson Street’s Pilar Savone will also serve as a producer on the film, which will be executive produced by Indian Meadows’ Danielle Reardon, as well as Jennifer Wiley-Stockton and Katherine Atkinson. Lionsgate execs Aaron Janus and Aaron Edmonds will oversee the project for the studio, while Quinn Curry will oversee production on behalf of Made with Love Media.

“Victoria is one of the most impressive and in-demand directors working today. Like with all of her work, she will bring iconic action, warmth, style, and gravitas to Shadow Force,” said Lionsgate’s Erin Westerman.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Victoria Mahoney. Her vision is inspiring. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Her artistry and insight have already deepened this electrifying project,” Brown and Washington said in a joint statement.

Mahoney made her directorial debut with the 2011 drama Yelling to the Sky, which was developed at the SundanceInstitute Labs before it debuted in competition at the Berlin Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. Since then, she has seen her profile rise in the industry, having worked with luminaries such as J.J. Abrams, Ava DuVernay, Patty Jenkins, John Ridley and Debbie Allen.

As a director, Mahoney’s list of TV credits includes episodes of Lovecraft Country, Grey’s Anatomy, Power, American Crime, Claws, Queen Sugar and I Am the Night, among others. She’s represented by CAA, and Lionsgate’s Robert Melnik negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio.