Crews are in the Cochrane area for the next few weeks filming The Gambit, an action-packed martial arts thriller producers hope will put Canada on the global map for the genre.
The crew was in Cochrane Heights yesterday shooting an intense action sequence featuring former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and renowned stuntman and actor Shota Tsuji.
“We were influenced by films like The Raid by Gareth Evans, starring Iko Uwais,” said Yas Taalat, one of the producers. “We’ve seen great action movies from the U.S., China, Japan, Indonesia, France—but not many from Canada. We want to make our mark, not just with action, but with martial arts in a way the world hasn’t seen from this country before. We want the world to be wowed."
The Gambit follows a deadly game of survival orchestrated by a sinister figure known as The Conductor (played by Kim Coates). Kidnapped contestants are forced to flee for their lives, pursued by assassins in a high-stakes, deadly chase.
“It’s a cross between The Running Man, Hunger Games and Squid Game,” said Taalat. “Lots of fun, lots of action.”
The cast also includes Yarine Pernia (Kemena Ortiz), Chad Rook (Vlad Volkoff), Milo Gibson (Trapper Jon), Skylar Park (Artemis), Aleks Paunovic (The Beast), and Michael Eklund.
Taalat says he's thrilled with the team they’ve assembled, leaning on Calgary’s deep bench of film industry professionals.
“I’ve made movies around the world, and I’m beyond impressed. This crew is doing the impossible,” he said. “It feels like we’re surviving our own version of the game—but with this team, we’ll make it through. It's super exciting."
Bisping arrived in Calgary last Tuesday, spending the week on choreography and costume fittings before stepping onto the Cochrane set yesterday.
"When they came to me with this opportunity, I was super excited. It's the first lead role in a movie, it's a tremendous script. There's great action, there's a great storyline. I'm over the moon and very thrilled."
Bisping also praised producers Gabriel Napora and Yas Taalat, whom he considers close friends.
Director Josh Wong, a veteran of Calgary’s film scene, said action and martial arts movies were his childhood passion. As an Asian-Canadian, Wong says he often lacked characters to identify with.
“When I first saw Kung Fu movies, it was like, hey—there’s an Asian guy who's the hero,” he said. “I got obsessed with Asian cinema. With The Gambit, you’ll see a lot of that influence.”
"I'm excited to be part of something greater than myself. With a strong cast of actors and stunt people, I know I can make a great story about family and redemption."
Longtime Cochrane resident Steven McMichael and Costa Vassos, who recently moved here from B.C., are among the producers. They're proud to bring the production here.
"It's a beautiful and stunning little town, so why not highlight it?" says McMichael.
He's worked around the globe on films, but when it comes to talking about Alberta's film industry, there's a distinct pride reflected in his voice.
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"I think we're starting to get noticed on a world scale, and we deserve it—Albertans work hard."
Aaron Zeffer and his wife have been Cochrane residents since 2016. He's a film industry veteran in props and set design, and his wife is part of the makeup crew. He said a local shoot is a rare treat.
“I love it. It’s the best 10-minute drive to work. That doesn’t happen often.”
"There are a lot of shows that choose small towns all over Alberta. It's fantastic and I hope the industry continues to grow in Cochrane."
Executive producers Murray Coleman and Peter Loubardeas, proud Calgary businessmen and friends, were also on site during this week’s shoot.
“This is our first time backing a movie,” said Coleman. “Peter asked me to get involved, and at first I said no—but then thought, ‘You know what? Let’s do it.’”
Loubardeas says the production feels like working with family.
“There are lots of good people, experienced people, and everyone’s drinking the Kool-Aid. We’re excited to see how it all plays out.”
The two are optimistic about the future of Alberta’s film sector, citing growing investment and major studios in Calgary.
“There’s real infrastructure now,” said Coleman. “Calgary can look like anything—big city, mountains, prairie. That flexibility makes it a great place to shoot.”
Post-production is also slated to take place in Alberta. The Gambit could be in theatres as early as late 2025 or early 2026.
Will Cochrane host a premiere? Stay tuned.
