Cuba Gooding Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Vernon Davis & Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Join Thriller ‘Break The Cycle’

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill: Vol. 1), Vernon Davis (The Ritual Killer) and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (The A-Team) are set to star in Break the Cycle, an urban thriller marking the first screenplay by former NBA player Jarnell Stokes.

Others in the cast include Loretta Devine (Waiting to Exhale) and Kym Whitley (Next Friday). Production kicks off in Memphis in March.

Directed by Josh Webber (Never Heard), Break the Cycle delves into the lives of two brothers whose childhood is marred by a horribly tragic incident. Raised by their loving but stern grandmother, the brothers take radically different paths as they come of age in the gritty streets of Memphis.

Jay, a gifted basketball player with dreams of making it to the NBA, is a beacon of hope for his grandmother and a potential ticket out of their harsh reality. However, the allure of his charismatic yet troubled brother, Eddie, who’s deeply entrenched in the world of street crime, casts a shadow over Jay’s future.

“This film is a heart-pounding journey through the world of streetball that explores themes of family, ambition, and the moral complexities of urban life. It tells the story of navigating a treacherous path, an unfortunate reality for far too many young boys in our urban communities,” said Stokes. “I’m so excited to have written my first film and honored to be working with such a tremendously talented group of actors to bring this project to life.”

Said producers Goodrich and Armstrong: “What excites us about the script is its terrifying plausibility. It’s essentially a true story. We’re thrilled to be working with Jarnell, Josh and the entire team to bring Break the Cycle to the big screen for what will no doubt be a gripping thriller.”

Added Fox: “I’m so proud to have the opportunity to work on such a meaningful film with an incredibly passionate group of people. I’m excited for ‘Break the Cycle’ and the impact I truly believe it will have. If it can motivate change or even a conversation in just one person’s life, we’ll have achieved something important.”

In addition to Stokes, producers on Break the Cycle are Rob Goodrich and Jason Armstrong of Walk Like A Duck Entertainment. Henry Penzi is exec producing.

Gooding is repped by manager and attorney Peter Toumbekis; Fox by Sheila Legette Entertainment; Davis by UTA, manager Henry Penzi and Fox Rothschild; Jackson by Golden Foo Entertainment, Penzi Management and attorney Robert Galarza; Devine by Innovative Artists and Essential Talent Management; Whitley by Innovative Artists, 111 Media and Untitled Entertainment; and Webber by Penzi Management.