Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban lead Russo Brothers’ R-rated pirate movie in gritty first-look images
The Russo Brothers have introduced a new kind of swagger that has entered the horizon, and it is not the typical family-friendly pirate tales that Hollywood is used to. Known for their work on blockbuster movies such as 'Captain America: Civil War', the Russo Brothers unveiled the first look at their upcoming R-rated pirate film 'The Bluff.' The first images shared by the Instagram account of Amazon Prime Video show Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban in thoroughly gritty roles as they lean into violence, revenge, survival, and the life that comes with high-seas adventure.
The film, set in the late 19th-century Caribbean, portrays Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a former female pirate who must protect her family when her past catches up to her. The 43-year-old replaced star Zoe Saldaña in the lead role in January 2024, but Saldaña remained on the project as an executive producer. She steps into the shoes of Ercell ''Bloody Mary" Bodden, living a quiet life with her family. However, that is only until her old crew, led by a vengeful former lover, comes back to pull her back to a life full of bloodshed and betrayal. What's more interesting is that the Amazon MGM Studios has rated the film R for the bloody violence and visuals. The first look shows Chopra covered in blood, fighting in raw and brutal combat.
Opposite Chopra will be 'The Boys' actor Karl Urban, who portrays Captain Connor. A former member of the East India Trading Company, Connor is now a hardened leader who is out for revenge against Bodden for moving on from her pirate life, as well as stealing from their former crew. Urban's intensity and antagonist roles promise to complement Chopra in a battle of wills and blades. The main story revolves around themes of revenge, loyalty, and survival as Bodden gives her all to protect her family, navigating a treacherous world with temporary alliances. Directed by Frank E. Flowers, the movie also promises to have an emotional edge, showcasing the harsh realities of life as a pirate in the Caribbean.
Urban also spoke about his role in a conversation with Esquire. "To have somebody who he took under his wing and nurtured and trusted stab him in the back, there’s a certain element of narcissism about not being able to let that go,” Urban said. "But to me, it was also a story about a man who’s trying to find his place in the world. If he can hand her over, she is his ticket. He’s also a Captain Ahab type. He’s driven by obsession."
On the other hand, Chopra also discussed bringing her role to life. Shooting the bloodshed and the violence came with its fair share of bruises and scrapes. "They’re sharp as hell!” Chopra said. "That sequence was a lot of fun to do but a lot of blood, a lot of physical work. Both my coactors were really big guys and the sweetest, nicest people off camera." The movie will debut on Amazon Prime Video on February 25.
