Rapper and actor 50 Cent released the trailer for Set Up, the latest of a 10-picture, $200 million deal struck between 50’s Cheetah Vision imprint and Lions Gate. News of Set Up follows 50 Cent’s debut of Things Fall Apart at the Miami International Film Festival. Things Fall Apart saw 50 purposely go against type by attempting to show more range as the cancer-stricken Heisman hopeful character, Deon, Set Up finds him back in the role of a tough guy character.
Bruce Willis and Ryan Phillippe co-star, as 50 plays the part of Sonny. After being betrayed by a partner in a jewel heist, 50 plots his revenge while also dealing with a local mob boss played by Willis. Set Up was actually the first project from the Cheetah Vision/Lions Gate partnership to be filmed, yet it is being released after Gun, Caught in the Crossfire, Twelve and Things Fall Apart.
Despite what appears to be an extremely lucrative deal, 50’s production team once again took advantage of Michigan’s generous film tax credits. The state is currently offering filmmakers a 40% refundable credit for any film or digital media pre-production, production, and postproduction costs incurred in Michigan. As such, Set Up was written to take place in Grand Rapids.
