EXCLUSIVE: Action vet Scott Adkins (The Rip) is making his directorial debut with action-thriller Brawler, which he also stars in alongside Lewis Tan (Mortal Kombat).

Currently shooting in the UK, Capture is launching sales on the movie ahead of the Cannes market. Above is a first look.

In Brawler, “a disgraced MMA champion is pulled into a violent underworld by the sins of his past, armed only with his fists, he must fight hitmen, criminal gangs, and his own inner demons, to protect those he loves.”

The film also stars Larry Lamb (The Hatton Garden Job) and Emily Bennett and is written by Matt Venne (Dexter: Resurrection).

Pic is produced by Ben Jacques (One Shot franchise), Craig Baumgarten (Universal Soldier) and exec-produced by Signature Films’ CEO Marc Goldberg (Trap House) and Head of Production & Development Sarah Gabriel (Trap House).

Adkins said: “After twenty years of building a career as an actor in the action world, I was ready to get behind the camera. The script for Brawler gripped me and it became clear that it should be the story I tell in my first feature film. I look forward to audiences seeing my work in this new career milestone.”

Producers Ben Jacques and Craig Baumgarten added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Scott again for this important new career expansion as well as seeing the coming together of two action legends that have never collaborated before.”

Scott is repped by Gersh, BWH Agency, Patrick Knapp, and Vault Entertainment. Lewis is repped by Gersh, Patrick Knapp, and Vault Entertainment.