Riz Ahmed and Lily James to star in David MacKenzie’s thriller Relay

Oscar winner Riz Ahmed and Baby Driver star Lily James are set to headline the upcoming thriller Relay helmed by Hell or High Water director David MacKenzie. According to Deadline, in Relay, Ahmed will play Tom, a world-class “fixer” who specializes in brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his identity a secret through meticulous planning and always follows an exacting set of rules.

“But when a message arrives one day from potential client Sarah (James), needing Tom’s protection just to stay alive, the rules quickly start to change,” the description further reads. Relay’s script is being written Justin Piasecki and Mackenzie. Filming is due to start in New York and New Jersey in April.

Black Bear International is set to launch the project at the EFM in Berlin, The film is being produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk, Sigma’s Gillian Berrie and Mackenzie, and Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman. Black Bear’s Michael Heimler and John Friedberg, Thunder Road’s Erica Lee and Charlie Morrison are all attached as executive producers.

On the work front, Ahmed won an Oscar last year for short film The Long Goodbye and was Oscar-nominated for The Sound of Metal. Meanwhile, James recently starred in Hulu’s Pam & Tommy and wrapped crime comedy Providence and wrestling drama The Iron Claw. His other credits include The Night Of, Venom and Nightcrawler.

Also Read: Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams to host 2023 Oscar nominations on January 24