Guillermo "Memo" Lucero was the Godfather of the Mexican drug cartel, controlling a vast multi-billion dollar empire of drug trafficking into the United States through the Mexico/U.S. border in California. But on a night raid in Tijuana, American DEA agents, working with Mexico’s elite Grupo Tactico unit, finally apprehended Lucero. The key agents for the Americans were Sean Vetter (Vin Diesel) and his partner Demetrius Hicks (Larenz Tate).

These young agents grew up together in L.A., and chose to pursue crime fighting as an alternative to life on the streets. "At a young age, Sean and Demetrius sought to create their own family," says Vin Diesel, who plays DEA Agent Vetter, "something they could depend on and rely on through life. They both left the street together to work for the right side of the law."

Vetter has also built a life with his wife, Stacy, played by Jacqueline Obradors. "She’s his rock," says Diesel. "She's the reason he didn't go a certain way, but even more than that – she is his existence, the reason that he wakes up every day. He can’t see life beyond the experience of this marriage. It’s almost religious; he has that kind of conviction."

Portraying Sean Vetter’s wife is Jacqueline Obradors, a rising star who previously appeared in Six Days, Seven Nights and is a regular on the hit ABC series "NYPD Blue." "Stacy is a very earthy, organic kind of a woman," says Obradors. "She loves her husband and will do anything for him, and is very supportive of him and his career. I think we’re at the phase in our relationship where we’re ready to have children and expand the family. They have such a sweet relationship that when disaster strikes it makes it all the more tragic."

With Memo Lucero locked away for life in a maximum-security prison, it doesn’t take long for a new player to take the reins as the new kingpin of the Mexican cartels. This new player is only known, and feared on the streets, as Diablo…the Devil. Whoever Diablo is, he doesn’t follow the same code of honor as his predecessor; he will wreak unfathomable misery upon his enemies, bringing vicious retaliation against anyone who stands in his way of money and power.

When Stacy is killed in a botched hit on Vetter’s life, a chain of events unfolds that will only result in more violence and bloodshed, as Vetter seeks justice…and personal revenge. "They took down this huge drug cartel leader, completing a job that took over seven years," Diesel says. "They got all these accolades and thought they could finally rest, only to find that that world and that experience would come back to find Vetter in what he thought would have been this sanctuary, what he thought would have been a safe place."

As his pursuit of Diablo heats up, Vetter becomes much closer to the evil he is trying to contain, and it is up to his partner to help keep him sane and alive. "Demetrius has to make sure that Sean doesn’t go off the deep end and get himself killed," comments Larenz Tate. "They’re both after Diablo, but the way Sean’s going after him is just completely rogue. So, Demetrius tries to keep him focused, even through the pain and harsh memories of the things that have happened to him."

The elaborate plot to hunt for Diablo takes Vetter and Hicks from Los Angeles to Mexico, from the desert to the asphalt jungle of the ‘hood. Vetter also forms an unlikely alliance with former drug kingpin Lucero, as they both wish to attain the same goal of bringing down Diablo.

Though they’re on opposite sides of the law, both Lucero and Vetter find that they have much more in common than either of them thinks. "Memo grew up on the streets in poverty and through his own cunning, ambition and drive has become an enormously powerful figure," says acting veteran Geno Silva. "I think Sean and I both recognize our similarity, the nature and duality of what we do. I think he realizes that despite generalities about drug lords and drug dealers that first and foremost I am just a man, cut from the same cloth as him, and they are a lot alike. That creates a dynamic tension between the two."

Silva found A Man Apart to be a very powerful and truthful film, and was intrigued with the possibility to play the complex character of Memo Lucero. "Lucero is a powerful man," says Silva. "He’s a businessman who happens to be in a very ruthless and lethal business, not unlike any big corporation. And with the trappings of being in charge of a $50 billion dollar business, he commands a lot of respect."

Juan Fernandez, best known for his work opposite James Woods in Oliver Stone’s Salvador, plays Mateo Santos, Lucero’s brother-in-law, who attempts to fill the void left by Lucero’s arrest. Fernandez explains, "This film is a thriller, but a very different kind of a thriller, where the characters are real people that I feel the audience will identify with emotionally."

Heading the Los Angeles DEA unit where Vetter and Hicks are assigned is Ty Frost, played by Steve Eastin. "Frost isn’t a typical, bureaucratic kind of guy," comments Eastin, a veteran of films such as Field of Dreams and Con Air. "He was probably a good street cop when he was younger, so he can empathize and have affection for Sean and his wife, and Demetrius. However, Frost is concerned that Sean tends to lead with his chin sometimes, and when his family experiences the tragedy, it really complicates their relationship."

Director F. Gary Gray notes that each of the film’s main characters experience moments that delve into both the evil and the spiritual side: "From Demetrius’ character having the edge and also compassion, to Sean Vetter’s character being a hero, but also wrestling with his own demons. In a sense, he comes close to becoming the Devil and that in itself is a difficult and complex journey to go through."

The premise for A Man Apart originated six years ago from an idea by producers Joseph Nittolo of Nittolo Entertainment, and producing partners Tucker Tooley & Vincent Newman of Newman/Tooley Films, at a time long before the current and heated interest in films about the drug trade. Tooley notes that the frequent cover stories in The Los Angeles Times focusing on the drug cartels and ongoing corruption in Mexico gave the producers the backdrop they were seeking.

Along with writers Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring, the filmmakers spent four years researching and developing the project. "Christian and Paul did quite a bit of research before sinking their teeth into the script," notes Tooley. Adds Gudegast, "From the DEA guys, to the Sheriff’s Department, to the drug dealers, it’s not about black and white. It’s not about cops are good; drug guys are bad. It’s all very gray. We wanted to show this whole world, and how these two agents, Sean and Demetrius, could so easily have gone either way. They could have gone the route of the crack dealer or whatever, but instead they chose a different career path and became cops."

With a fully developed and researched script in hand, the filmmakers immediately captured the interest of Vin Diesel’s representatives. "We thought Vin would be perfect for it," says Nittolo. "Sean Vetter is a man who’s lost his wife as a result of a personal war against the drug cartels and is now not only seeking to enforce the law, but seek vengeance. And Vin brought the realism we were looking for and a whole lot of depth."

Director Gray notes that Diesel has a special appeal as both a blue-collar hero and a movie star. "He has the best of both worlds," Gray says.

"The character of Sean Vetter required somebody to be believable as a law enforcement officer, but also somebody who could be credible in the inner city, as someone who grew up on the streets," adds Newman. "There aren’t a lot of actors who have that credibility, but Vin has all that."

Diesel was fascinated by the character of Sean Vetter, who walks the edge between hero and anti-hero. "In the beginning of the film Sean is the protagonist, you root for him, but by the second half he’s converted," he notes. "So much so that he almost becomes the thing he’s fighting."

Diesel also has an established relationship with New Line Cinema, which acquired the script, through his roles in the films Boiler Room and Knockaround Guys. Co-producer George Zakk, Vin Diesel’s producing partner, notes that A Man Apart nailed the kind of edgy role the actor sought. "It’s dark, set in the drug world, and features fantastic characters," he says. "It’s the psycho-analytical breakdown of a man in dealing with the loss of his wife. It poses the question, ‘What would you do if that was your wife?’"

Acclaimed movie and music video director F. Gary Gray was the producers’ first choice to direct the film. Gray has an established relationship with New Line Cinema, having helmed his first two feature films, Friday and Set It Off, both of which were widely successful.

Gray, who names Brian De Palma’s Scarface as one of his favorite movies, was enthusiastic about portraying the drug trade in a film with multi-dimensional characters and a gritty, acclaimed lead actor. Having worked with Diesel before his rise to stardom from xXx, Gray notes, "I knew I had a great opportunity to work with someone up-and-coming who is a great performer, with really gritty, raw subject matter."

"Gary is a great shooter, he has an amazing eye, and he really knows his craft," enthuses producer Tucker Tooley. "He’s committed and passionate, and he brought that with him to the set every day, ultimately making the film grander in scale." Diesel adds, "There’s an ardent truth that only Gary could bring."

To play Vetter’s partner, Demetrius Hicks, the filmmakers chose promising young actor Larenz Tate, who previously delivered acclaimed performances in such diverse films as Menace II Society and Why Do Fools Fall In Love. "We wanted to counter-balance Vin’s presence and size with another kind of presence, someone who could play off of him, because it’s their chemistry and relationship that hold the story together," notes Tooley.

Tate, who knew both Diesel and Gray, fit the bill. "In a way, A Man Apart is a buddy cop film but with something different to say, and different themes to explore," the actor says. "In a way, the part felt tailor-made for me."

Director Gray notes that the character of Demetrius had to have a realistic, urban core. "I had to have a person who was credible to the whole urban street element who could give a wide range of emotions, and empathize with Sean Vetter as they take the journey together. Larenz brought more depth and character to the role than I could ever have imagined, and he’s a good friend," adds Gray.

"Vin had also been a fan of Larenz’s work for some time," notes co-producer Zakk. "He’s a very powerful actor – like a young Denzel Washington," adds Diesel. "And I trust him as a person, which gave another layer of truth to their relationship."

A central figure in the pursuit of Diablo is the charismatic character Hollywood Jack Slayton, a Beverly Hills spa owner who is suspected of being a drug trafficker, or perhaps Diablo himself. The role of Slayton is played by rising young star Timothy Olyphant, best known for his memorable performance as a drug dealer in Doug Liman’s Go.

For Olyphant, the character of Hollywood Jack Slayton was a bit of a mystery at first. "I just kind of glanced at the script and saw a menacing, bad, drug dealer guy," he recalls. "But then I found out that F. Gary Gray wanted the role to be funny, which was not my mindset when I read it initially. I ended up reading the script again with that in mind, and that’s when I thought the role was very attractive. Gary gave me a lot of room to play."

Olyphant was especially delighted with the character’s look. "It was a really fun departure," he notes. While expecting the usual "bad ass black clothing," when he showed up to work, "They had me wearing powder blue Gucci loafers, powder blue Armani pants, a powder blue shirt, wearing Ray Bans and driving a Porsche Carrera. It was literally like playing Batman; you just let the costume and accessories do a lot of the work. You can’t wear something like that, drive that car and act boring, you know what I mean? It was very liberating to have that kind of extreme look. It’s also very comical."

The central cast of A Man Apart is enriched by veteran character actors such as Geno Silva, who plays imprisoned drug cartel boss Memo Lucero. "Since Scarface is one of my favorite films, and Geno Silva is the guy that shot Al Pacino at the end, it’s actually pretty ironic that he took this in my film," says Gray, who also notes that the acting veteran brought layers of depth to the role. "He’s a cartel leader, but we’re supposed to have feelings for the guy. It’s like Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter. It’s very hard to play the ruthless bad guy, and at the same time have the audience on your side."

F. Gary Gray’s visual flair is enhanced by renowned cinematographer Jack N. Green, ASC, a veteran of over 30 films, including director Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. Green’s dynamic and dramatic lighting reflects the intense action and dark themes of A Man Apart.

Gray’s mandate for production designer Ida Random was to give the film its own unique visual style. "I used punchy, bold, strong colors to enhance the dramatic effect of this drug cartel world we created," she explains.

Technical advisor Sergeant Richard B. Valdemar, a veteran police officer with the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles, where he works the Major Crimes Bureau and specializes in gangs and drug trafficking, met with the writers during their research period. The filmmakers then brought him on board to help them portray this world with as much realism as possible. "Anything that has to do with police work I look at and make suggestions," he explains. "Especially with some of the larger scenes that involve a lot of police activity." Like the character of Vetter, Valdemar also grew up on the streets of L.A. and watched drugs infect his community before becoming an officer.

Gray explains that on a film such as A Man Apart, he wouldn’t think of walking onto the set without a consultant such as Valdemar. "With this movie, I wanted to go with someone who not only had experience in the drug world and the DEA, but also someone who had street experience," Gray says. "Richard grew up on the streets so he understands the drug world and has a link to Mexico. I could ask him questions about anything, from the specifics about a top drug cartel lord, to a gang-banger and everything in between. He has some great anecdotes and was instrumental in helping shape the story."

Gray hopes the film will resonate with audiences from across the spectrum. "In America, I don’t think there is one household that hasn’t been affected by a friend, family member or someone they know that has come into contact with drugs, and that’s why the film is so relevant," Gray points out. "You can relate to it, but it’s not so heavy-handed that you feel like you’re watching a documentary. First and foremost you’re going to be entertained. You’re going to enjoy the journey that our main characters go through because we take you into a lot of different worlds."

"The audience will get a suspenseful film, a dark and emotional film that explores to some degree the drug world," says Diesel.

ABOUT THE LOCATIONS

A Man Apart began principal photography at a private residence on Malibu’s Zuma Beach, which serves as Sean Vetter’s beachfront apartment. What starts off as a backyard party for Sean, his family and friends, soon turns deadly as a new drug cartel boss known only as Diablo targets him and his wife. The house, located on Pacific Ocean beachfront property, made for a beautiful sequence where Vin Diesel and Jacqueline Obradors dance a slow salsa at sunset, in a scene choreographed by Alex Da Silva, an acclaimed Los Angeles salsa instructor.

Over the next ten weeks, filming continued at various locations in and around Los Angeles County.

In San Pedro, adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles, the parking lot for local fish restaurant Utro’s is the site for a drug bust gone awry between the agents and Hondo and Pomona Joe, leading to a deadly shoot out.

Pasadena’s stately City Hall building, designed with Spanish colonial architecture accents, is the site of a political assassination.

The nightclub Fais Do-Do, in L.A.’s historic West Adams district, provided the location for a major confrontation and machine gun eruption involving Vetter, Hicks, and their fierce-but-friendly hoodlum friend Big Sexy, played by character actor George Sharperson.

A residential neighborhood and home in South Central Los Angeles was the site for informer Overdose’s house.

A multi-block stretch of Avalon Avenue in the city of Wilmington, California, was transformed into the retail shops and commercial enterprises that create a replica of Tijuana, for the film’s early scenes depicting the takedown of Memo Lucero and portions of the film’s climax. Hundreds of Latin American background performers were utilized nightly to portray the busy Tijuana streets’ merchants, residents and vendors.

Focusing on a color scheme of turquoise, orange and purple, the design team created signs, painted buildings and put up billboards, and in the end, production designer Ida Random was very pleased with her department’s work. "It really did look like Tijuana," she enthuses.

Demetrius Hicks’ house was filmed on a residential street in Echo Park in the eastern part of Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium, while Big Sexy’s house was located in a high-income residential area of Baldwin Hills.

The site where Lucero’s wife is killed was filmed in Los Feliz, at the Convent of the Immaculate Heart, on a glorious hill overlooking the entire city.

For two weeks of filming, both the Lone Star and Delfino Sound Stages in Sylmar were utilized to construct both the maximum-security prison where Lucero is held, and the grand Lucero compound, replete with nightclub and underground tunnels.

For Lucero’s club and compound, production designer Ida Random came up with the idea of a club in the round. "It was inspired by hot climate areas like Bolivia and Columbia," she recalls. "Then I started researching Tuscany and Roman villas – marbleized columns, fresco walls, stone."

On the second floor of Lucero’s compound is a shrine which Ida Random designed as an homage to Mexico’s Jesus Malverde, the "patron saint" of drug traffickers, a criminal hanged in 1909 and now a popular figure among Mexico’s drug dealers and often compared to Robin Hood. "We didn’t put any images of the Devil in the film, since that would have been too over the top," insists Random. "But we show the Devil in the film’s darkness, and especially in the Malverde Shrine, where we utilized lots of voodoo imagery."

For five days, the Inyokern Airport and hangar, in California’s Indian Wells Valley near the city of Ridgecrest, was transformed into a Mexican border drug smuggler’s desert hideout. It is here that Vetter and Hicks have an explosive meeting with Hollywood Jack Slayton and where principal photography on A Man Apart was ultimately completed.

ABOUT THE CAST

Vin Diesel (Sean Vetter)

In the Summer of 2002, Vin Diesel starred as secret agent Xander Cage (and served as the executive producer) in the hit action film xXx, directed by Rob Cohen. Diesel portrayed a notorious underground thrill seeker who is forced to cooperate with the government to avoid prison.

Last Fall, Diesel co-starred in the New Line Cinema ensemble drama, Knockaround Guys, which also featured John Malkovich, Dennis Hopper, Barry Pepper and Seth Green.

Diesel is currently in pre-production on Universal’s The Chronicles of Riddick, which is based on his character from Pitch Black. Diesel’s One Race Productions will also produce. Additionally, Diesel will star as the third century B.C. Carthaginian general Hannibal for Revolution Studios. The film is based on the Ross Leckie novel of the same name and is currently in development.

Prior to Pitch Black, Diesel gave a standout performance in Boiler Room, and was the voice of the title character in the Warner Brothers animated feature The Iron Giant, which won an Annie Award for Best Animated Feature.

Steven Spielberg noticed Diesel’s early work and created the role of Private Carpazo for him in Saving Private Ryan, opposite Tom Hanks. Diesel was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the film’s ensemble cast.

In the early 1990s, Diesel wrote, produced, directed and starred in his first film, a short, Multifacial, which was screened at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. He then wrote his first full-length feature, Strays, in which he also was the star, director and producer. This raw urban drama was selected to be in competition at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.

A native to New York City, Diesel gave his first stage performance at the age of seven at the Theatre for the New City in Greenwich Village and continued to work in theatre throughout his childhood.

Diesel majored in English at Hunter College with a concentration on creative writing and soon thereafter began writing screenplays.

He was the recipient of the Nova Award at the 2001 Diversity Awards by the Multicultural Motion Picture Association.

Larenz Tate (Demetrius Hicks)

In a relatively short span of time, Larenz Tate has earned his reputation as one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood. He has been noted for his fine performances, including a Best Actor NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in Theodore Witcher’s love jones. Tate starred opposite Nia Long in this love story, which won the Audience Award for Best Film at the1997 Sundance Film Festival.

Tate has most recently been seen in the Dreamworks action film Biker Boyz. Previously he played the starring role of Frankie Lymon in Why Do Fools Fall in Love, for Warner Bros. The film also starred Halle Berry, Lela Rochon, and Vivica A. Fox. Tate also starred opposite Kevin Costner in Warner Bros.’ The Postman.

Tate made his feature film debut in the Allen and Albert Hughes’ drama Menace II Society, followed by a starring role in the Matty Rich comedy The Inkwell. He teamed up once again with the Hughes brothers in the acclaimed film Dead Presidents.

On television, Tate earned recognition for his performance in the critically lauded Fox series "South Central," the ABC series "New Attitudes" and the CBS series "Royal Family."

Tate studied music, theater and art with his two brothers Larron and Lahmard at the Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles. He made his professional acting debut in an episode of "The Twilight Zone - The Series."

Born in Chicago, Tate now resides in Los Angeles.

Timothy Olyphant (Jack Slayton)

Timothy Olyphant received great notice as the drug dealer ‘Todd Gaines’ in Doug Liman’s critically applauded film Go. Prior to this, Olyphant starred in Disney’s Gone in 60 Seconds, as ‘Mickey’ in Scream 2, in the indie film 1999, A Life Less Ordinary alongside Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor, The First Wives Club and Rock Star.

Olyphant was seen two years ago in the Sony Classics’ indie hit dramedy, Broken Hearts Club—A Romantic Comedy, which tells the story of a close-knit group of young gay men who struggle to cope with their identity and find comfort in playing together on a softball team. The film was written and directed by Greg Berlanti and also stars John Mahoney and Dean Cain.

Olyphant most recently finished shooting the pilot episode for the new HBO western series "Deadwood" created by David Milch and directed by Walter Hill. He will next be seen starring opposite Morgan Freeman in Warner Bros. Dreamcatcher, directed by Larry Kasdan, and in The Safety of Objects co-starring Glenn Close and Dermot Mulroney.

On television, Olyphant appeared in the HBO film, "When Trumpets Fade," directed by John Irvin. He has also appeared on ABC’s critically acclaimed drama, "High Incident" as rookie cop Brett Faraday. Olyphant made his television debut with the series "77 Sunset Strip" for Warner Bros. and appeared in the CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame special "Ellen Foster" starring Julie Harris.

Born in Hawaii and raised in California, Olyphant attended USC where he developed an interest in the fine and performing arts. Olyphant studied drawing, painting, sculpting, theater and stand-up comedy. Upon graduation, Olyphant moved to New York to enroll in William Esper’s acting program to perfect his craft. There he received the World Theater Award for Outstanding Debut Performance for his role as Tim Hapgood in the Playwright Horizon’s "The Monogamist", written by Christopher Kyle. He went on to star in David Sedaris’ one-man production, "Santaland Diaries," directed by Joe Mantello, at the Atlantic Theater. He recently returned to the Playwright Horizon starring in "Plunge", also written by Christopher Kyle.

Prior to acting, Olyphant swam competitively at USC and was a U.S. National Finalist in the 200 individual Medley.

Olyphant lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles.

Jacqueline Obradors (Stacy Vetter)

Jacqueline Obradors has parlayed playing sexy ‘Angelica’ opposite Harrison Ford in Ivan Reitman’s Six Days, Seven Nights into a string of coveted film and television roles.

Obradors, whose Six Days role garnered a Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination, was previously seen in Samuel Goldwyn Film’s Tortilla Soup. The dramedy is inspired by Ang Lee’s foreign-language hit Eat, Drink, Man, Woman. Obradors also provided a key voice for Disney’s animated feature Atlantis: The Lost Empire, co-starred with Rob Schneider in Disney’s hit comedy Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo and appeared in the festival circuit award-winner, Crossing Over.

Beyond her feature work, Obradors has had an impressive run in television as well. She is the newest series regular on Steven Bochco’s hit series "NYPD Blue," and also starred with Elizabeth Perkins in NBC/Dreamworks’ mid-season sitcom "Battery Park" for creator/producer Gary David Goldberg ("Family Ties," "Spin City") and also guest-starred on a four episode arc of NBC’s hit sitcom "Jesse" as Bruno Campos’ ex-fiance and starred in the F/X drama pilot "Dope."

Additional forays into television include "Killer App" for director/producer Robert Altman, "’68," opposite Dylan Walsh, "The People" with Bradley Whitford, and most recently a guest turn on the comedy "Some of My Best Friends."

Obradors is a Southern California native who enjoys traveling and yoga.

Geno Silva (Memo Lucero)

Geno Silva is best known for his roles as "Skull" in Scarface and as "Ruiz," the slave owner in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad.

A veteran of over a dozen films and more than 50 television shows, Silva’s credits include David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, Steven Spielberg’s The Lost World: Jurassic Park and 1941, as well as Night Eyes II, Tequila Sunrise, Zoot Suit and Wanda Nevada.

His television credits include "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman," "The Sentinel," Murder, She Wrote," "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues," among many others.

For theatre, he starred on Broadway in Luis Valdez’ "Zoot Suit," which led to his role in the Golden Globe-nominated feature film.

Juan Fernandez (Mateo Santos)

Juan Fernandez was a long time protégé of, and model for, Salvador Dali, as well as artists such as Antonio Lopez, Maning Obergon, Albert Elia and Barbara Pearlman. He modeled for photographers Francesco Scavullo, Richard Avedon, Richard Ballarean, Bob Richardson, Charles Tracy, Bill King, Barry Lategan, David Bailey, Guy Bourdin, Luigi Cazzaniga, Steven Arnold and Pierre et Gilles. His print and runway work for fashion designers include Thierry Mugler, Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, Zandra Rhodes, Nino Cerruti, Ozzie Clark, Steven Boroughs, Giorgio Sant’Angelo, Carola Polakov and Halston.

His work as a film actor includes Salvador, Arachnophobia, Crocodile Dundee II, Show of Force, Cat Chaser, Trigger Happy, Dona Barbara, Entre los Dioses del Desprecio, and Talk to Her. His film career began in Italy where he worked with Bruno Corbuchi, Carlos Sofi, Carmello Bene and Federico Fellini, among others.

His television credits include "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "TJ Hooker" and "The Fugitive" and an extensive list of movies-of-the-week.

Steve Eastin (Ty Frost)

Veteran film and TV actor Steve Eastin is best known to filmgoers for his role as pitcher Eddie Cicotte in Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner, and as Guard Falzon in Con Air, starring Nicolas Cage. His numerous film credits also include Catch Me If You Can, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The General’s Daughter, Panic, The Scout, The Shawshank Redemption, Wagons East!, Sliver, and Blood In, Blood Out, among others.

His extensive episodic television work includes "Felicity," "Chicago Hope," "The West Wing," "Jag," "ER," "The Pretender," "Murphy Brown, "The X-Files," "Picket Fences," "Seinfeld," "Wings," "Life Goes On," "Murder One," "Judging Amy," "Melrose Place," "Doogie Howser M.D.," "Diagnosis: Murder," "Hill Street Blues," "Moonlighting," "St. Elsewhere," "MacGyver," "L.A. Law" and "Equal Justice."

George Sharperson (Big Sexy)

George Sharperson was bitten by the acting bug when he appeared as a background performer in the Eddie Murphy film Coming to America. He later made his first cameo appearance in CB4 starring Chris Rock. It was this movie that earned him membership in the Screen Actors Guild.

George co-starred in Double Take, with Eddie Griffin and Orlando Jones. He also appeared in the HBO film "Stranger Inside," which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival.

For television, George has appeared on numerous shows including "The X-Files," "Norm," "City of Angels," "The Wayans Brothers," "Murphy Brown," and "Murder She Wrote," to name a few.

With all this going on in his life, George has also managed to pursue and maintain a second career. He is currently a correctional officer for the state of California, working at a maximum-security institution.

George resides in Los Angeles with his wife, La-Shae, and their 3-year-old daughter, Kiana.

Mike Moroff (Gustavo Leon)

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Mike Moroff has acted in over 40 films, including 17 Mexican productions, and numerous television productions. His credits include everything from La Bamba to Death Wish IV to Robocop to Desperado. He's played "Oso" in Born in East L.A., "Ortego" in Scarface, and "Santos" in Night of The Living Dead III. More recently, he’s graced the silver screen with his portrayals in The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, The Crew, and the independent film Knockout.

Beginning his career in Mexico, Moroff acted in film productions with Jorge Rivero, Andres Garcia and Jorge Russek, among others. It was on the production of Cattle Annie & Little Britches that Mike was advised by actor Rod Steiger to move to Hollywood.

He was probably born to play his favorite role, that of "Pancho Villa" in television's "Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," produced by George Lucas. With his heavyweight boxer build, this 6' 4" Texan is the spitting image (though a bit taller) of the Mexican revolutionary hero.

In 1999, Mike worked with director Tony Plana of the East Los Angeles Classic Theater on the extremely challenging role of ‘Sir Toby’ in William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," performed at the Ford Anson Theater.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

F. Gary Gray (Director)

F. Gary Gray most recently directed the suspense-thriller The Negotiator, starring Kevin Spacey and Samuel L. Jackson, which won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the Acapulco Film Festival, and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller. He received widespread critical praise for his second feature, Set It Off, a gripping action drama starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah and Vivica A. Fox, that became New Line’s highest grossing release of 1996 and received a Cognac Film Festival Award. His debut feature was the hit comedy Friday, starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker; made for a budget of $2 million, the motion picture grossed $30 million, making it one of the most profitable pictures of 1995.

Gray recently completed directing Paramount’s The Italian Job, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron and Seth Green. The film will be released on May 30, 2003.

For television, Gray executive produced and directed the pilot episode of Fox Television’s critically acclaimed show "Ryan Caulfield: Year One" which debuted in May 1999.

Before beginning his film career, Gray worked as a freelance cameraman. He segued from his work as a cameraman to directing the short film Divided We Fall, borrowing expensive professional equipment from friends and associates.

Gray eventually became a pioneer and award-winning director in music video, bringing rap culture to mainstream awareness. He went on to direct videos for such recording artists as Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and TLC, and helped to provide mainstream exposure for such artists as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Coolio.

At the 1995 MTV Music Video Awards, Gray was a multiple winner, receiving four awards for TLC’s "Waterfalls," including Video of the Year, and the Best Rap Video Award for Dr. Dre’s "Keep Their Heads Ringin’." Also in 1995, Gray earned the Billboard Music Video Award for Best Rap Video and Best New Artist Rap Video.

Gray’s video of Ice Cube’s "It Was a Good Day" was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s "Top 100 Best Videos of All Time." He was also nominated for a Grammy for directing Stevie Wonder and Babyface’s "How Come, How Long."

To date, Gray has received 16 awards and 23 nominations for his direction of various music videos, including an Image Award from the NAACP for "Waterfalls."

Gray also directed the music videos "Turn Back the Hand of Time" for R. Kelly, and "Ms. Jackson" for hip-hop group OutKast.

Still in his 30’s, Gray has reached the pinnacle of films, television, and music videos, having directed some of the most acclaimed, award-winning performances of our time. With each new project, he continues to showcase his intensity and passion for film. Gray’s dynamic visuals and storytelling talent have made him one of the most unique and sought-after directors in film today.

Vincent Newman & Tucker Tooley (Producers)

Vincent Newman and Tucker Tooley founded Newman/Tooley Films in 1997, and quickly became recognized as one of the most aggressive and viable young producing teams in the business. In addition to A Man Apart, the team’s feature film credits include: the recently released Poolhall Junkies, starring Christopher Walken, Chazz Palminteri, Rick Schroder, Michael Rosenbaum and Mars Callahan; the recently filmed Blind Horizon starring Val Kilmer, Neve Campbell and Sam Shepard; and Sol Goode, an ensemble comedy starring Jamie Kennedy, Balthazar Getty, Cheri Oteri, Tori Spelling and Johnathan Schaech. Up next for the team is Mexicali, to be directed by Pietro Scalia, Redline for MGM and Check/Mate for Spyglass.

Joseph Nittolo (Producer)

Joseph Nittolo’s experience in the motion picture industry encompasses the production and financing of numerous independent films. Nittolo has financed over a half-dozen productions, including the motion pictures The Last Marshal, starring Scott Glenn and William Forsythe; Beyond the Cith Limits, with Natassja Kinski, Jennifer Esposito and Steve Harris; Red Letters, which had its world premiere in August 2002 on HBO, stars Jeremy Piven, Fairuza Balk, Peter Coyote and Ernie Hudson; and Poolhall Junkies, starring Christopher Walken and Chazz Palminteri.

Robert Degus (Executive Producer)

Robert Degus, producer of two Academy Award® nominated short films, began his film career producing national TV commercials and music videos in New York City. He was the Head of Production at Chanticleer Films, and later worked as a Production Executive at New Line Cinema, overseeing 18 feature film productions including Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and F. Gary Gray’s Set it Off.

Degus left New Line to oversee the physical production of the studio’s film, Pleasantville. He followed that up with producing and conceptualizing the centerpiece attraction at Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project Museum – Funk Blast, where he brought together funk legends James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and George Clinton, to create a state-of-the-art 70mm ride-film.

Degus also directed and edited his own short feature, Another Round, which was invited to screen at the Los Angeles Film Festival, honored with an award at the Houston Film Festival, and was subsequently purchased by Showtime for airing on their network.

George Zakk (Co-Producer)

A native of Montreal, Canada, and born to Greek immigrants, George Zakk began his entertainment industry career in music as a roadie and assistant road manager on tours for bands spanning the smallest road acts to the largest stadium concerts.

After meeting Vin Diesel six years ago through a mutual friend, in 1995 Zakk became Diesel’s producing partner in his One Race Productions production company. Since then, Zakk has been instrumental in films such as Pitch Black, The Iron Giant and The Fast and the Furious, as well as producing Diesel’s directorial debut, Strays, which was in competition in the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. He also served as executive producer on the Summer 2002 blockbuster xXx.

One Race Productions is currently in pre-production on The Chronicles of Riddick, based on Vin Diesel’s character Riddick in Pitch Black.

Christian Gudegast & Paul T. Scheuring (Screenwriters)

Screenwriting partners Christian Gudegast and Paul T. Scheuring mark their first produced screenplay with A Man Apart. The pair met at UCLA where they are B.A. graduates of UCLA’s Department of Film and Television. While at UCLA, their thesis film, Shadow Box, won the Alan S. Jacobson Award for Best Film.

In 1999, Gudegast wrote the independent film, Beyond the City Limits, which was produced by A Man Apart producers Vincent Newman, Tucker Tooley & Joseph Nittolo.

They are also writing The Apprentice for The Canton Company, which is to be directed by Rupert Wainwright.

Gudegast is a native of Los Angeles. Scheuring was born and raised in Davis, California.

Jack N. Green, ASC (Director of Photography)

Jack N. Green’s recent credits as cinematographer include Space Cowboys, Girl Interrupted, True Crime, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Speed 2: Cruise Control, Absolute Power and Twister, all of which followed his directorial debut on the highly praised story of gypsy life, Travellers. His most credit, Against the Ropes, starring Meg Ryan, will be released in April.

Green was instrumental in providing Clint Eastwood’s The Bridges of Madison County with its look of warmth and intimacy, as well as photographing A Perfect World and the visually arresting Unforgiven.

His relationship with Eastwood began when he worked as first assistant cameraman on the aerial unit for the thriller Play Misty For Me. He subsequently became camera operator for the highly regarded cinematographer Bruce Surtees, and continued to work with Surtees on several pictures, among them the huge hit Beverly Hills Cop. Serving as either camera operator or director of photography, Green has collaborated with Eastwood on nearly 30 films, including Every Which Way But Loose, Ratboy, Pale Rider, City Heat, Tightrope, Sudden Impact, Honkytonk Man, Firefox, The Rookie, White Hunter, Black Heart, Pink Cadillac, Bird, The Dead Pool, Heartbreak Ridge and True Crime.

Among Green’s other feature film credits are The Amazing Panda Adventure, directed by Christopher Cain; Trapped in Paradise, directed by George Gallo; The Net, directed by Irwin Winkler and starring Sandra Bullock; Deceived, American Racer, Like Father, Like Son, and Agnieszka Holland’s documentary Golden Dreams.

Ida Random (Production Designer)

Ida Random has previously worked with Kevin Costner on The Postman, Wyatt Earp, Silverado and The Big Chill, and on Barry Levinson’s Rain Man. Random has also designed three films for director Danny De Vito: Hoffa,The War of the Roses and Throw Momma From the Train.

Born in Scotland and raised in a variety of locales – Africa, Ireland, Belgium and England – Random studied in Vancouver, B.C., and Los Angeles, concentrating on drafting and construction. She worked as art director for The Hollywood Reporter and later in props and set decoration before trying her hand at art direction. She served as assistant art director on True Confessions, On Golden Pond and Urban Cowboy and as art director on the films Partners and Frances.

Among her other credits as production designer are the motion pictures The Fan, Irreconcilable Differences, Body Double, Who’s That Girl?, About Last Night…, Defending Your Life, Housesitter and Along Came a Spider.

Shawn Barton (Costume Designer)

Shawn Barton previously worked with director F. Gary Gray on his hit directorial debut Friday. Her credits as costume designer include director Theodore Witcher’s Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner love jones, starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long, as well as In Too Deep, starring Omar Epps, Stanley Tucci and L.L. Cool J, and Perfume, starring Omar Epps, Jeff Goldblum and Paul Sorvino, both directed by Michael Rymer.

She began her career as a stylist for music videos and commercials, and has also worked in television on CBS’s show, "Queen Supreme," starring Oliver Platt, Anabella Sciorra, and Robert Logia.

Bob Brown (Editor)

Mr. Brown’s credits include; A Fountain for Susan (1999), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Free Willy 2; The Adventure Home (1995),

Anne Dudley (Composer)

Ms. Dudley’s credits include; dirty Pretty Things (2002), Tabloid (2001), The Human Body (2001), Lucky Break (2001) and Monkeybone (2001), Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995), The Client (1994), Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) and The Client (1994)

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