Daisy Ridley to Lead Action-Thriller ‘Dedication’ for ‘Casino Royale’ Director Martin Campbell (EXCLUSIVE)

Daisy Ridley has landed another lead role, this time in action thriller “Dedication” from Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale,” “GoldenEye”), reuniting with the director following their recent feature “Cleaner.”

The film, written by Dan Gordon (“Wyatt Earp,” “The Hurricane”), is launching at the American Film Market, with Highland repping international sales and CAA Media Finance overseeing domestic rights.

“Dedication” follows Major Billie Jean Parker (Ridley), a decorated Marine Corps commander who is relieved of duty after a high-stakes mission in the Philippines results in civilian casualties, despite capturing anarchist leader Omar Romatas. Facing the loss of her career, she visits her dying father, Clyde, a former Marine, who asks her to attend a dedication ceremony for a school building named in his honor. The event takes a deadly turn when Omar Romatas’s vengeful son, Bento, launches an assault, taking hostages. Forced back into combat, Billie Jean sets traps and executes precise strikes to outwit the attackers. Her tactical instincts and ruthless efficiency shift the fight, as she confronts her past and proves her worth in a relentless battle that will define her legacy.

The film is being produced by Gemstone Films Ltd., Phil Hunt (“Tar,” “Talk to Me”), Valentin Dimitrov (“Lionsgate’s “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”), and Sagiv Diamant (“We Die Young”). The film is executive produced by Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group alongside Gaby Whyte Hart, who also serves as the casting director.

“What a thrill to collaborate with a director of Martin Campbell’s pedigree whose eye for big-scale action was on spectacular display in the Bond franchise,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser. “Daisy Ridley will perfectly embody the multiple facets of a fallen war hero who is forced into combat mode one last time,” 

Added Highland COO Delphine Perrier: “It’s fantastic to have Martin and Daisy teaming up again for ‘Dedication’. Martin is the ideal director to bring Dan Gordon’s complex and electrifying script to life. It’s a riveting story loaded with engaging characters and we look forward to introducing this powerful adventure to our global partners.”

Highland Film Group’s current slate also includes Chuck Russell’s horror-thriller “Witchboard”; the action crime thriller “Wardriver” starring Dane DeHaan and Sasha Calle; John Stalberg, Jr.’s Muzzle: “City of Wolves” starring Aaron Eckhart; Allan Ungar’s action-comedy “London Calling” starring Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor; and Joe Carnahan’s survival thriller “Not Without Hope” starring Zachary Levi and Duhamel.

Ridley is repped by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern and Narrative. Campbell is repped by CAA.