Cast, story and everything we know about Alan Ritchson's film

Although he has worked steadily in TV and film since the early 2000s, Alan Ritchson rose to fame playing former military police officer Jack Reacher in the Amazon Prime Video original series, Reacher. Based on the books by Lee Child, Reach is packed with action-packed sequences and features a heroic protagonist who resembles a knight in shining armor from old storybooks. Now, in Ritchson's next film, Motor Cityhe's going against type (sort of).

Taking place in the 1970s in Detroit, Motor City is a gritty revenge story that will still have plenty of action, but this time Ritchson's character is only out for blood and revenge. While there isn't much information yet regarding Alan Ritchson's film, there is enough to know that audiences are in for a wild ride.

Latest news from the motor city

Filming in New Jersey saw the Motor City crew blowing up a prison

Filming for Motor City began in July in al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, and in New Jersey, specifically in Jersey City and Paterson. According to the North Jersey website, an empty prison about to be demolished was used in the film. This was a stroke of luck for the cast and crew, who not only filmed the inside of the Passaic County Jail, but also blew it up afterwards using special effects for an explosive scene in the film.

The latest news for Motor City comes from actor Ben Foster, one of the main cast members, who spoke to Collider at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. When asked about the film, Foster revealed that the film would be mostly silent, with only “five lines of dialogue.” He also gave a glowing review of his co-star, Alan Ritchson, saying:

He's great as an engine. I think he wants to do deeper work, or rather, a different kind of work than he has been doing, and that is a joy.

No release date has been announced yet for Motorized City. However, with director Potsy Ponciroli's film Old Henry being released about eight months after production, it is possible Motor City could be released in spring 2025.

Motor City confirmed

Potsy Ponciroli is set to direct

In May 2023, Variety broke the exclusive announcement about the Motor City film. In a later article, Variety also provided a cast list and named Potsy Ponciroli as director, along with producers Jon Berg and Greg Silverman of Stampede Ventures. Berg said: “Potsy has a killer vision for the film: dynamic camerawork, brilliant music, muscle cars, and immersive sound design surrounding incredible action sequences.”

Ponciroli is an independent writer and director who gained attention for his 2021 western, Old Henry. Starring Tim Blake Nelson, Old Henry received widespread critical praise and was selected by the National Board of Review as one of the 10 best independent films of 2021 (via Deadline). Ponciroli also directed the independent film 2024 Greedy people, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James and Himesh Patel.

Motor City Cast

Alan Ritchson is joined by Ben Foster, Shailene Woodley and more

Along with Alan Ritchson as John Miller, the hero of Motor City, The film's cast is full of notable names and faces. Co-starring as the film's antagonist, Reynolds Foster is well known for his work in modern westerns, Hell or high water (2016) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007).

Also in the cast is Shailene Woodley as Sophia. She starred as Triss in Divergent franchise, and Woodley also played Hazel in the heartwarming drama, The Fault in Our Stars. Pablo Schreiber, known for his TV roles in American Gods, Halo, and Orange is the new black, is also set to appear in Motor City as Savick, as well as Ben McKenzie from Gothamwho plays a police officer named Kent.

Details of the history of the Motor City

Alan Ritchson plays a formerly incarcerated mechanic seeking revenge

In Motor City, Alan Ritchson plays John Miller, a Detroit mechanic who is framed and sent to prison by Reynolds, a dangerous crime boss.. Upon his release, Miller tracks down the people responsible for his incarceration to exact deadly revenge and rescue his girlfriend, Sophia.

The plot for Motor City it may be simple and formulaic, but that's not what makes the film so intriguing. The thing is, the film reportedly has little to no dialogue, letting the visual spectacle like high-octane action sequences do the talking. Another great giveaway for Motor City it's how music plays an important role in telling the story.

Motor City Soundtrack

Jack White Of The White Stripes Is Serving As Musical Director

It was established by several people involved in Engine City that the film features an important musical element. Cast member Ben McKenzie called the film “disco rock revenge film.” Producer Jon Berg also described him as “something between an opera, a music video and an action film.” With music playing such a fundamental role, producers brought in Detroit native and Grammy winner Jack White as musical director for Motorized City.

White is best known as the singer, songwriter and guitarist for The White Stripes with his drummer sister, Meg White, but he's no stranger to film. Not only has he directed most of his own music videos, but he has also acted in a few films. White played a wandering musician in the 2003 film Cold Mountain, and Elvis Presley in Walk Hard: The Story of Dewey Cox. It's safe to say that music will play an important role in Motor City, and White's experience and acclaim will be an invaluable asset.