Los Angeles, CA (September 9, 2026) – Set to launch sales at TIFF, Ultimate Media Group, led by sales veteran Jason Buckley, is handling international rights and co-repping domestic sales with CAA Media Finance for the psychological thriller Ping starring Megan Lawless (Focus Feature’s Obsession). Newly joining the cast are Fivel Stewart (Netflix’s “Atypical” and “The Recruit”); leading creator, director and actress Savanah Moss; WWE Superstar Liv Morgan (Neon’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo) and Carter Jenkins (the After film series). The film is written and directed by Richie Gordon, in his feature debut.
The psychological thriller is produced by Richie Gordon for Power Ten Productions, Ryan Winterstern (Luc Besson’s Dracula) for Applewood Studios, Giovanni James Guidotti and Mark Korshak for Giovanni Entertainment, Rick Moore for Eyevox Entertainment, alongside Blue Rider Media Capital and Here We Go Pictures. Ping is executive produced by Garrett Thompson, Mary Kay Cook, Sam E Gold, Jennifer Neal, Casey James, Jarod Einsohn, Harris Lane, Walter Josten, Patrick Josten, Mark Hamilton, Thomas Vogelheim, Craig Gordon, and Nanette Gordon.
Production is underway in Mississippi.
Ping tells the thrilling story of an aspiring creative director who lands a remote dream job, but is forced to choose between her sanity and a boss she can never mute. It’s the job you’d kill for – and the job that might kill you!
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce Ping to our buyers at TIFF,” said Jason Buckley of Ultimate Media Group. “It’s a smart, provocative and highly relevant film that explores ambition, power and the increasingly blurred lines between our professional and personal lives. With Richie’s vision and Megan starring, we believe Ping has all the elements to resonate with audiences globally, and we’re looking forward to beginning those conversations in Toronto.”
“Ping is one of those stories that defies categorization and keep the audience on its toes with an excitedly twisted story about ambition with a thrilling and provocative mix of clever storytelling and unexpected dark turns. We’ve assembled a wonderful ensemble cast and the film has all the makings for a breakout crowd-pleaser,” said producer Giovanni James Guidotti.
“Ping examines the promises of modern work that can push us to work harder and longer, sometimes at the expense of ourselves – it asks those of us living through burnout culture: what is enough? I was blown away by how deeply that resonated with Megan and the rest of the cast, and am incredibly fortunate to have some of the best crew in the business to bring it to life. I’m in awe of the talent behind this film and I can’t wait for the world to see it,” added writer/director Richie Gordon.
Megan Lawless stars opposite Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette in this summer’s horror sensation Obsession from director Curry Barker, which has become Focus Features’ highest grossing film with over $501.6M at the worldwide box-office. Additional credits include 20th Century Fox’s The Hate U Give with Amandla Stenberg and Regina Hall, Searchlight’s Table 19 alongside Anna Kendrick and Craig Robinson and Hulu’s series “The Girl from Plainville” starring Elle Fanning and Chloë Sevigny.
Fivel Stewart’s breakout role was Izzie Taylor, in Netflix’s heartfelt comedy series “Atypical,” a role that portrayed a coming-of-age WLW romance that became a fan-favorite. She also starred in Sony Pictures’ horror mystery Umma, alongside Sandra Oh and Netflix’s spy adventure series “The Recruit” starring Noah Centineo and Laura Haddock.
Savanah Moss is an award winning digital-native creator (14.4 million followers) and filmmaker, known for her distinct “fever dream” short-form entertaining and eerie videos. Moss has partnered with Tongal, the creator-led studio, to develop the feature film Jeff the Killer, based on the viral internet horror character.
Liv Morgan (aka Gionna Daddio) is an actress, professional wrestler and the current Women’s World Champion in her third reign; she is signed with WWE and frequently appears as herself in their affiliated programs. Up next, she stars in Neon’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo opposite Lily James. Her television and reality show credits include Syfy’s “Chucky,” Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and most notably WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.”
Carter Jenkins’ many credits include the role of Andy, the young hustler in the final season of the AMC’s critically acclaimed drama series “Mad Men,” Roy Bryant in Hulu’s anthology series “Women of the Movement,” and Robert, the charming romantic interest in Voltage Pictures’ After We Fell, After Ever Happy and After Everything.
Giovanni Entertainment’s current production slate also includes Ramin Bahrani’s romantic thriller Vegas: A Love Story starring Maika Monroe, Brandon Sklenar, Paul Dano and Michael Shannon; the survival thriller In Tandem starring Emile Hirsch and Benjamin Norris; the drama That One Beautiful Day starring Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino and S. Craig Zahler‘s upcoming film The Bookie and The Bruiser, starring Vince Vaughn, Theo James, and Patrick Schwarzenegger, with Guidotti and Mark Korshak serving as Executive Producers.
Megan Lawless is repped by Alexander White Agency, 42, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Fivel Stewart is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency and TSC Entertainment; Savannah Moss is repped by Untitled Entertainment and CAA; Liv Morgan (Gionna Daddio) is repped by CAA; Carter Jenkins is repped by Innovative Artists and Untitled Entertainment.
About Giovanni Entertainment
Giovanni Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based film financier and production company founded in 2025 by Giovanni James Guidotti. Building on the Hollywood legacy of Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty – the #1 natural haircare brand in the U.S. and the only brand chosen backstage at the Emmys, GRAMMYs, Oscars, and Tonys – Giovanni Entertainment applies decades of creative and commercial expertise to cinematic storytelling.
In its first year, the company financed and produced four films: That One Beautiful Day starring Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, In Tandem starring Emile Hirsch, Vegas: A Love Story starring Maika Monroe, Brandon Sklenar, Paul Dano, and Michael Shannon, and a yet to be announced film by writer/director Tim Sutton. Guidotti and Mark Korshak also recently served as Executive Producers on S. Craig Zahler’s upcoming film The Bookie and The Bruiser, starring Vince Vaughn, Theo James, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Giovanni Entertainment develops, finances, and produces high-concept, commercially viable content across film, television, and new media platforms. The company co-finances up to half of the budget of projects that feature strong talent attachments, mitigated risk profiles, and demonstrable commercial upside. Giovanni Entertainment bridges the company’s Hollywood legacy with a forward-looking content strategy built for today’s media landscape.
About Applewood Studios
Applewood Studios is independent production company founded by Ryan Winterstern. Applewood looks to bridge the gap between the creative and financing aspects of filmmaking in order to create space for filmmaker friendly content for a global marketplace. Since founding Applewood Studios in 2024, Ryan has produced numerous films such as the upcoming The Fix, Double Blind, and The Twelve Dates of Christmas amongst many others.
Ryan Winterstern is a veteran film producer with more than 15 years of experience across all facets of the motion picture industry. Known for his versatility in an ever-evolving marketplace, he has amassed over 40 producing credits and has led the development, financing, production, and delivery of some of the most successful independent features of the past decade, spanning a wide range of genres.
About Ultimate Media Group
Ultimate Media Group (UMG) is a Los Angeles-based global entertainment company providing sales, distribution, asset management and strategic advisory services to producers, financiers, rights holders and institutional partners. Led by industry veterans with decades of experience across the global entertainment marketplace, UMG develops tailored strategies designed to maximize the value and long-term potential of film and television assets.
UMG represents and manages a diverse portfolio of independent films, established libraries and franchises, including 9 ½ Weeks, Million Dollar Baby, The Grey, Limitless, Killer Elite, The Lincoln Lawyer, Dear John, Donnie Darko, Skyline and The Words. The company combines deep industry relationships, extensive rights and distribution expertise, and a global network of partners to maximize opportunities across theatrical, television, digital and emerging platforms. www.theultimatemediagroup.com
via Maxine Leonard PR