Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has a lot to be proud of. His career was really jump started by now Producers Guild of America President, Stephanie Allain who during her tenure at Columbia, successfully launched the careers of several young filmmakers including the late John Singleton, Darnell Martin, and Robert Rodriguez
Rodriguez is one of the most gifted storytellers working today in television and film. He is a film and television director, producer, writer, composer, cinematographer and editor. Less commonly, Rodriguez has also worked as a second unit director, digital animator and a visual effects supervisor.
So it’s only fitting that his expansion continues. This year his legacy in independent cinema with the launch of Brass Knuckle Films, a new production venture that allows fans to invest in action movies and take an active role in the filmmaking process. The initiative, developed in partnership with Republic, a global investment platform, offers supporters an opportunity to submit original film concepts, with one selected for full-length feature development by Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios.
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The launch of Brass Knuckle Films represents a shift in independent film financing, inviting everyday moviegoers to invest in projects and share in potential profits. Investors will have access to behind-the-scenes updates on film development, casting, and production, along with private screenings and set visits. As the global demand for high-energy action films continues to grow, Rodriguez sees the venture as a way to bring fresh storytelling to audiences while expanding access to the industry.
“Across my work, I’ve always sought to overcome the idea that great action movies need big Hollywood budgets,” said Rodriguez. “With Brass Knuckle Films, we have a chance to rewrite the rules—giving fans the opportunity not just to watch, but to get a piece of the action. It’s exciting to continue to create high-energy films for the people who love them, while now being able to offer direct access to the filmmaking process at such a monumental time for Texas film.”
Rodriguez, whose films include El Mariachi, Sin City, Spy Kids, and From Dusk Till Dawn, has built a career on redefining independent filmmaking. Brass Knuckle Films will develop a slate of franchise-ready action films, with Rodriguez personally producing each project and directing at least one.
Brass Knuckle Films is structured to give investors an unprecedented level of involvement in the filmmaking process. Those who participate will have the chance to submit original movie concepts, which will be reviewed by Rodriguez’s team at Troublemaker Studios based on originality, feasibility, and market potential. From these submissions, ten finalists will be selected to pitch their ideas directly to Rodriguez, with one concept chosen for development into a feature film as part of the inaugural Brass Knuckle Films slate.
The project arrives at a pivotal moment for Texas’ growing film industry, which is positioning itself as a major hub for film production. By leveraging Rodriguez’s established studio infrastructure, the venture seeks to efficiently produce high-quality action films while providing a direct line between filmmakers and their audience.
Brass Knuckle Films is a joint venture between Rodriguez and Alexis Garcia’s action film label CAT5. Garcia, a former WME agent and Head of Film at Fifth Season, founded CAT5 in 2024. The label recently completed its first film, A Working Man, starring Jason Statham and directed by David Ayer, which will be released theatrically on March 28, 2025, via Amazon/MGM. Kevin Dartt, Rodriguez’s longtime business manager and executive at Troublemaker Studios, will oversee operations alongside Garcia.
To finance this ambitious initiative, Brass Knuckle Films has partnered with Republic, a platform known for democratizing investment opportunities. Republic’s newly launched Film Financing vertical has already facilitated multi-million-dollar raises for projects from Skybound, Bucket List Studios, and Pressman Film. The initiative is further supported by the Avalanche blockchain network, which specializes in high-performance decentralized applications.
Brass Knuckle Films aims to deliver high-impact action films with franchise potential, maximizing efficiency without sacrificing quality. Rodriguez, whose career has been defined by his ability to create commercially successful films on tight budgets, believes that Brass Knuckle Films represents the next evolution of independent filmmaking.
For more information on how to invest and participate, visit brassknucklefilms.com.
