Tabloids have been abuzz the past few days regarding reality TV bad boy hearthrob’s Jason Wahler, formerly of MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills,” arrest in Cabo, Mexico.  Jason continues his long down-spiral, which insiders say began last Fall when Wahler was fired by producers Bruce Reisman and Kris Black from their upcoming feature film “Five Good Years.”

Jason Wahler (L), Kris Black (R)

Sources close to FourTwoFive Films, which had cast Wahler in his first major acting role in the independent drama, said that Wahler “had been fine, clean, and sober” when he was first given the role of “Jackson” in the film. Soon after he was cast, however, Wahler showed-up late or not-at-all to important script and production meetings. Says the insider, “The director, Bruce Reisman, did every thing he could to keep Jason on-board and really believed in the kid’s potential, but after several attempts to contact Wahler, Reisman and producing partner, Kris Black, simply gave up. He would allegedly lie to the producers, saying he was either ‘ill’ or had ‘family problems’ when in fact he was in another state partying.”

Reisman even went on record to defend Wahler, reporting to the media at the time that “Jason was a consummate professional and was eager to make the movie.” Said Reisman,when contacted by several tabloid publications “Jason never once appeared either high on drugs and refrained from drinking.” Reisman went on to set the record straight by saying that “Jason’s dismissal had nothing to do with either drug or alcohol use.”

Commenting on Wahler’s recent arrest in Cabo, Reisman said Monday, “It bothered me as I know that if he got his life together, he could have a promising acting career. I saw our movie as an opportunity to show Jason Wahler off as much more than a bad boy reality TV star. He is a very good actor, had been working on his Southern dialect for the role, but simply seemed to disappear. We had no choice but to release him.”

A spokesman for the movie and FourTwoFive Films said that “Bruce Reisman was always willing to give Jason another chance, but since their releasing him from the movie, Jason’s problems just got worse.” In fact, the movie was pushed back to re-cast, with FourTwoFive Films postponing “Five Good Years” until later this year, and replaced it with the horror-mockumetnary,“The Kris Black Project,” starring Shar Jackson, Jeremy Jackson, Christina DeRosa and Kris Black. The film was recently completed and is currently in post-production..

FourTwo Five Films: Kris Black (L), Bruce Reisman (R)

Independent film production company, FourTwoFive Films (IMDB: FourTwoFive Films), owned and operated by the multi-talented duo Bruce Reisman and Kris Black have been busy working on multiple film projects.  Here’s an exclusive update on all of their film projects planned for 2010 and 2011.

Their film slate currently includes “The House That Jack Built,” “The Untitled Kris Black Project,” “Boarding School 3-D,” “Five Good Years,” “4:20,” and “Danny Boy.”  Indie film enthusiasts like myself are certain to find a film or two or three that suits their preference as this power duo of Reisman and Black have written films ranging from horror to comedy.

Take a look!

The House That Jack Built

A psychological thriller where “Saw” meets “Entourage.”

IMDB: The House That Jack Built

FourTwoFive Films first completed film project was “The House The Jack Built.”  The premiere was held at ArcLight Theater in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009 and received great reviews (see “Interview with writer, painter, actor Kris Black: Part 1 of 2“).  Kris Black also held a screening of the film in his hometown of Viroqua, Wisconsin back on October 9, 2009 (see “FourTwoFive Films: Kris Black, local boy goes Hollywood“).  The cast includes: Gail O’Grady (“Boston Legal”), Shar Jackson (“Celebrity Fit Club- Season 7″), Joe Mategna (“Criminal Minds”), Hal Sparks (“Queer as Folk”), and more. Good news! They have recently finalized a distribution agreement for their first venture.  More details to come regarding release dates and how to obtain a copy.

The Untitled Kris Black Project

A “Killer Komedy” that scrambles fact and fiction and takes on Hollywood like never before.

IMDB:  The Untitled Kris Black Project

Production and writing partners, Bruce Reisman and Kris Black, recently completed their 2nd production, “The Untitled Kris Black Project” (UKBP), an irreverent “mockumentary” about the foibles of independent movie-making. Using the “movie-within-a-movie” concept, Kris Black’s hot-button original screenplay, takes on styles of both Woody Allen (“Zelig”) and Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”).

Directed by Hank Braxtan under the guidance of producer, Reisman, “UKBP” stars Shar Jackson (who also makes her debut as co-executive producer with her Malkore Productions banner); along with ex-child-star, Jeremy Jackson, all grown up from “Baywatch.”

Also in the cast is Justin Shilton, best-known as the guy who dumped Steve Carrell in “Little Miss Sunshine” and more recently seen as a recurring co-star of the new “Melrose Place.”

Jeremy Jackson adds to the mix for “UKBP,” bringing his own brand of experience and celebrity to a project that pokes fun at reality stars, delves deeper into their real talents, and creates a terrifying depiction of Hollywood indie horror films. In this movie, the audience will not be quite sure where reality stops and movie-magic begins.

It is already being touted for the independent film festival circuit, with insiders buzzing about the movie’s originality and superb production values; along with some surprising performances from the celebrated cast.

Boarding School 3-D

Not everyone is going home for the holidays in “Boarding School 3-D.”

IMDB: Boarding School 3-D

FourTwoFive Films plans next to expand their thriller base, but to do it in 3-D, with “Boarding School 3-D.” Written by Bruce Reisman and Kris Black, Reisman will direct this terrifying new take on the old “phantom of the opera” concept, whereas a “scarred” ex-high school football hero/coach (David Chokachi) returns to take revenge on the “student” (Kris Black) who destroyed his life.

David Chokachi

“Think ‘Breakfast Club’ meets ‘SAW’”, says director-writer Reisman, “and you’ve got the idea.”

Five Good Years

Kris Black takes on the fight of his life with “Five Good Years.”

IMDB: Five Good Years

The big news from FourTwoFive Films is that production is proceeding on their “most auspicious script,” “Five Good Years.” In development for over a year, with rumored stars like Kathy Bates (“Misery”), Taryn Manning (“Hustle and Flow”), Shoshanna Stern (“Weeds”), Peter O’Toole (“The Tudors”), and Samuel L. Jackson (“Lakeview Terrace”) to flank Kris Black, “Five Good Years” is the rags-to-riches story of one young man’s obsession to save his mother’s life; and by doing so, must enter the boxing ring.

Kris Black (L), Taryn Manning (R)

From coal miner to contender, Alex Winston must “fight against time,” and with the help of his hard-bitten fight promoter, his burnt-out Irish-poet trainer, his best friend and fellow miner, and the young CNN reporter (Taryn Manning) who falls in love with him… just maybe he can win.

“Five Good Years” is the most ambitious of the movies in the production slate, but its deeply moving screenplay is already gaining buzz as an Oscar-contender.

4:20

“4:20″ ponders what if you only had 3 hours left…to get high?

IMDB: 4:20

FourTwoFive Films’ plans are varied, as their films go from one extreme to the other. Following the intensity and raw emotions of “Five Good Years,” they will be moving forward with Kris Black’s directorial debut, the wild and raunchy “4:20,” which Black wrote with Reisman.

Says Black, “It’s ‘The Hangover’ meets ‘Pineapple Express’ and ‘Superbad’,” where two “stoners” have just one day to gather up all the legal marijuana they can before the California State Law is reversed.

This one will shoot in late summer 2010 in Los Angeles. No talent are attached as yet.

playing with props on set: Kris Black (L), Kevin Malloy (R)

(Above) Actor/Writer Kris Black is “playing around” with “4:20″ props for the media last summer in Los Angeles, and sharing the fun with fellow actor, Kevin Molloy (“The House That Jack Built” and “Boarding School 3-D”).

Danny Boy

Life and death and love in “Danny Boy.”

IMDB: (not yet available)

As FourTwoFive Films grows as an independent production company, as do their ambitions. For 2011, Reisman and Black are already writing and planning on producing “Danny Boy,” their original screenplay concerning the “relationship” between an incarcerated Episcopal priest and a death row inmate.

Golden Globe Award winner, Colin Farrell, is targeted for the title role of a social outcast, doomed to a life of prison, and finally, ending up on death row. By way of his friendship with Father Mick Callum, who himself is in jail, there’s a chance for clemency.

Told in flashback style, through the memories of a child, “Danny Boy” takes on the subjects of capital punishment, the right to die with dignity; and for two men, when under the most desperate of circumstances, are encouraged to experience love in the most unlikely of places.

“Danny Boy” is both raw, violent, scary, and finally an emotionally moving story of two very different men, who, to survive, chose their friendship over their wives, their children, and a disparaging world.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- all posts related to FourTwoFive Films
• Ifelicious Thoughts- FourTwoFive Films looks to cast Kathy Bates in “Five Good Years”
• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com

(December 18, 2009) Hollywood, CA  –  Jeremy Jackson, who portrayed “Hobie” on the internationally-famed “BAYWATCH,” has joined the cast of the FourTwoFive Films production of “The Untitled Kris Black Project.”

Jackson, 29, who last year appeared on the VH1 reality series, “Confessions of a Teen Idol,” joins previously set stars Shar Jackson, Justin Shilton, and Kris Black in the comedy-thriller, to be directed by Hank Braxtan.

The much-lauded Kris Black screenplay combines the “movie-within-a-movie” concept, as Jackson will portray himself, and “Caleb,” a fictional character in the horror movie that first time director, Kris Black, portraying himself, is producing.

Shot in the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” format, the film will be a scathing satire on independent film-making. The project is independently financed through FourTwoFive Films by executive producer, Paul Payne. Bruce Reisman, partnered in FourTwoFive Films is executive producer as well.

FourTwoFive Films recently completed their first venture, “The House That Jack Built,” which starred Joe Mantegna, Gail O’Grady, Hal Sparks, Shar Jackson, along with Kris Black as “Jack” in the indi-thriller. Bruce Reisman directed.

Jeremy Jackson, who is best known as a child-star, has grown into a handsome, talented adult actor.

“The Untitled Kris Black Project” is the second on a multi-picture slate for 2010 for Reisman and Black’s company. Following “Untitled” will be “Boarding School 3-D,” featuring another BAYWATCH alumnus, David Chokachi. Shooting begins in February in Detroit, Michigan with Bruce Reisman directing the script he co-wrote with Kris Black. Black also stars.

Following “Boarding School 3-D” are “Five Good Years,” a boxing drama set against the backdrop of West Virginia coal mines; and in summer, “4:20,” an all-out, youth-oriented comedy, will shoot in Los Angeles with Kris Black making his directorial debut.

All projects are being packaged by Stephen Rice at Pantheon Talent.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- EXCLUSIVE: FourTwoFive Films announces cast for the “Untitled Kris Black Project”
• Ifelicious Thoughts- FourTwoFive Films news, interviews, and more
• IMDB- FourTwoFive Films
• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com
• VH1 Blog- Teen idol’s Jeremy Jackson Txtrview!
• CBS News- Jeremy Jackson’s second shot at fame
• Myspace- www.myspace.com/jeremyjackson

Justin Shilton, Shar Jackson, Kris Black (publicity shoot for "The House That Jack Built")

Hollywood, Ca. (November 16, 2009) – Producers Bruce Reisman and Kris Black, continuing to add to their slate of FourTwoFive Films projects, are announcing that production on “The Untitled Kris Black Project” will begin in the next few months.

With a “secret” and “unique” plot, the film will be directed by Hank Braxtan from a script by Kris Black, who will be among the cast.  But also on board as the leads in the project are Shar Jackson and Justin Shilton, who both appeared with Black in the recently completed thriller, “The House That Jack Built.”

Justin Shilton is also well-known for his role in “Little Miss Sunshine” and is currently playing a re-curring role on the new “Melrose Place”; and has guest starred in a number of hot TV series such as “CSI: New York” and “Without a Trace.”

Shar Jackson, best known for her seven years on “Moesha” and for winning MTV’s “Celebrity Rap Superstar”, also recently completed roles in the feature films, “I Do… I Did” and “Steppin: The Movie.”

The only leak about the plot is that, according to Black, “It’s going to be a scathing expose’ and terrifying satire of independent film-making.”

Bruce Reisman, who hasn’t acted in over 20 years, will also return “in front of the camera”, as part of the cast; and will serve as Executive Producer on the “Project.”

Related Links

• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com
• Ifelicious Thoughts- FourTwoFive Films news, interviews, and more
• IMDB- FourTwoFive Films
• YouTube- FourTwoFive Films

Exclusive Sneak Peak!

Hollywood, Ca. (November 6, 2009) — FourTwoFive Films‘ upcoming thriller, “Boarding School 3-D” offers readers an exclusive sneak peak at the production design for the movie. Created by Oliver Dear, this “lair” provides the setting for the “killer” Coach, Ralph Scudder, to be played by former “Baywatch” star, David Chokachi. This setting provides much of the terror in the Bruce Reisman-Kris Black script. To be directed by Reisman, Chokachi portrays a once-beloved high school athletic coach, forced into exile ten years ago after an “accident” maimed his once-perfect face and body.

Kris Black

Kris Black stars with Chokachi as current “coach” Ray Reynolds, the most popular teacher at the exclusive River Oaks Boarding School, where during the Christmas break, he chaperones a group of school “misfits” who are forced to remain. The director of the recently completed thriller, “The House That Jack Built” was originally “finished” with the horror genre, “but the chance to direct in 3-D”, says Reisman, “is something I couldn’t pass up. The technology is not only fascinating, but 3-D is the future of this genre”.

David Chokachi

FourTwoFive Films is currently completing the casting for the roles of the students, and the kids will all be played by some of the hottest names and faces in Hollywood.

About “Boarding School 3-D”

The story revolves around the holiday “lockdown”, where the horribly disfigured Coach Scudder sets out to destroy the current coach (Kris Black), once his “favorite student”, whom he blames for his own desolation. In true “SAW” and “Final Destination” tradition, the story is a relentless tale of suspense and terror, all taking place in a single nightmarish day.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- Former “Baywatch” star, David Chokachi joins Kris Black in FourTwoFive Film’s new “Boarding School 3D”
• Ifelicious Thoughts- Ifelicious EXCLUSIVE!!! FourTwoFive Films Moves Forward On “Boarding School 3-D”
• Ifelicious Thoughts- all FourTwoFive Films related posts
• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com
• FourTwoFilms Myspace- www.myspace.com/jackbuilt
• IMDB- Boarding School 3-D

Kris Black and Alex Verde

Hollywood, Ca. (October 26, 2009) – Kris Black and Bruce Reisman, whose FourTwoFive Films motion picture company is already in pre-production on their second movie, “Boarding School 3-D“, announced today that they are creating their own music label, Four-Legged Records.

This new venture has already signed its first rising star, 23 year-old Alexander Verde (pictured with Kris Black, above), exclusively to record an album and music video in 2010. The young singer was discovered by Reisman and Black at the posh L.A. eatery, Larsen’s Steak House. In a not-so-unusual show-biz scenario, “Alex” has been their server for many months. In passing conversation, the kid revealed that he was an opera singer. Curious, but skeptical, Reisman and Black saw and heard Verde’s demo and “were blown away”.

“The kid has a voice like a young Andrea Bocelli,” says Reisman.

“We’re going to groom him as a young Josh Groban,” says Black, who will personally oversee Verde’s career and produce his music for Four-Legged Records.

Aside from Verde’s youth and good looks, he is unique in that he sings in four languages. “We’re looking for just the right material,” says Black, “to showcase his versatility. We know that he’ll record opera in Italian, but we’re also looking for an original song along with a standard, to be recorded in both English and Spanish”. He will be groomed as an actor as well, and will appear in the upcoming thriller, “Boarding School 3-D”.

FourTwoFive Films had long been planning to launch a music division, but discovering and signing Verde helped them “pull the trigger”.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- Ifelicious Exclusive: FourTwoFive Films Moves Forward On “Boarding School 3-D
• Ifelicious Thoughts- all FourTwoFive Films related posts
• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com
• FourTwoFilms Myspace- www.myspace.com/jackbuilt
• Alex Verde website- www.alexverde.com

Kris Black and David Chokachi

Hollywood, Ca. (October 9, 2009) — As the casting process proceeds for “Boarding School 3D”, the next thriller from FourTwoFive Films (“The House That Jack Built”), still-hunkster David Chokachi, formerly of “Baywatch”, is in process of closing a deal with producers to join the cast.

The “Breakfast Club’ meets “SAW” storyline casts Chokachi against type, as a once beloved private boarding school athletic coach, returning to his alma mater as a “monster”, physically maimed in a science lab accident ten years back. Kris Black, who co-wrote the script with director Bruce Reisman, portrays Coach Scudder’s (Chokachi) former favorite student, who is now a member of the same school’s faculty.

Set in the dead of winter, several “troubled” students remain at the private school during the Christmas holiday, chaperoned by Black’s character, “Ray Reynolds”; and soon find themselves in a lockdown situation at the hands of the vengeful Scudder, who lives under the school and targets each of the “kids” as his prey.

“Originally,” says director Reisman, “I was going for a more traditional villain-type for the role of Coach Scudder. But when David’s name came up, I agreed to meet him. He was so funny and charming, that I felt he’d be the scariest monster of all under that handsome, disarming smile.”

Filming is set for late this year in Detroit, Michigan.

Related Links

Ifelicious Thoughts- all news about FourTwoFive Films, Kris Black, Bruce Reisman

(Hollywood, Ca). Kris Black, born in Westby, WI and raised in Viroqua, packed up virtually everything he owned a few years back, after deciding he was going to be an actor. Before he loaded up his car, Kris Black was Chris Mellem, son of local accountant and single mother, Christine Mellem; when he got to Los Angeles, and after a few years of sorting out his “identity”, Chris Mellem changed his name to Kris Black, and his fortunes changed with it. (www.myppk.com/go/krisblack.aspx)

Although not quite yet a household name, Kris is well on his way after forming FourTwoFive Films (with his producing partner, Bruce Reisman) and completing “The House That Jack Built”, which will have its premiere on October 9th at the Vernon Square Cinema. (www.fourtwofivefilms.com)

Chris Mellem attended Viroqua High School and was a star athlete, especially in football. It is on the football field where he got used to the cheers from the crowds, and felt the love and support from his fellow students and families. It is from there that a local boy got the guts to leave the safety net of Hometown USA, and venture forth into the world with a dream.

As not only the star of “The House That Jack Built”, Kris has become a multi-threat in Hollywood. As co-writer of “Jack” and producer, Kris has learned quickly all facets of independent movie making, from writing to raising money.

Also an acclaimed abstract artist, Kris Black was named by Los Angeles magazine as “One of the Top 25 Renaissance Men in Los Angeles”.

His company, FourTwoFive Films, is planning a roster of movies, the first being another thriller, “Boarding School 3-D” and includes Kris Black’s directorial debut, “4:20” from a script by he and Reisman.

But Kris is most looking forward to playing “Alex Winston” in “Five Good Years”, whereas he portrays a young West Virginia coal miner who’s forced in the boxing arena, to fight to save the life of his ailing mother. Written Kris and Bruce Reisman, to be directed by Reisman, Kris has been intensely training for the role for the last eight months. The training was recently photographed for publication in Mens Health fitness magazine.

Kris will be attending the premiere on October 9, 2009, joining his old friends and family. Please contact the Vernon Square Cinema (www.vernonsquarecinema.com) for event details and show times.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- all news about FourTwoFive Films, Kris Black, Bruce Reisman
• Vernon Broadcaster- Viroqua native bringing his movie to local cinema
• FourTwoFive Films official website- www.fourtwofivefilms.com
• FourTwoFilms Myspace- www.myspace.com/jackbuilt

The company, having recently completed “The House That Jack Built” is now preparing their second feature, “Boarding School 3-D” to be followed by their much heralded screenplay, “Five Good Years”, and then the duo’s comedy “4:20”.

Kris Black will be represented by Pantheon as an actor, writer, producer, and director with Reisman, who has had an extensive career as a writer, producer, show runner, and director, being repped in these categories as well.

Pantheon partner, Aaron Kogan, will lead his team of agents focusing on Reisman and Black’s projects already funded and in pre-production, along with future projects, which includes their 2-hour pilot, “Private Eye Candy”.

Pantheon, one of the most prestigious talent agencies in Hollywood, which has a lengthy list of “talent”, is located on Ave. of the Stars in Century City, California.

Legendary rep Mark Lichtman will remain as Black and Reisman’s manager, and will work side by side with Kogan and Pantheon. Mark was partnered at the Shapiro-Lichtman Agency for over 30 years, and currently works on his own with a few select major clients.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS BELOW!!!!

Kris Black poses with Taryn Manning at charity event

On Friday evening, September 11, actress Taryn Manning was the DJ at World on Wheels (www.wowsk8.com), which hosted an 80’s themed benefit for HOW (Helping Others Worldwide). Among the supporters were actor Kris Black and director Bruce Reisman, whose company FourTwoFive Films is producing “Five Good Years” in which Taryn Manning has a key role.

Manning, best known for her fine work in both “8 Mile” and “Hustle and Flow”, recently signed on to portray Caroline Bishop, the love interest to Kris Black’s coal miner turned boxer in “Five Good Years”.

The benefit was to raise money and awareness for HOW (www.Hownp.org) which sends money, clothes, and medicine to the poorest children in Africa. Many celebrities attended the roller-skating “party” that featured music of the 80’s.

Taryn Manning poses with Bruce Reisman at charity event.

Related Posts/Links

• Taryn Manning official website- www.tarynmanning.com
• Taryn Manning on Myspace- www.myspace.com/tarynmanningboomkat
• FourTwoFive Films on Myspace- www.myspace.com/jackbuilt
• FourTwoFive Films Bruce Reisman talks about film “Five Good Years.” Taryn Manning and Jerry Ferrara to join cast.
• Interview with writer, painter, actor Kris Black. (Part 1 of 2) Film Projects, FourTwoFive Films