Renny Harlin’s action thriller “The Bricklayer,” featuring Aaron Eckhart and Nina Dobrev, is set for a day-and-date release in the U.S. early next year, courtesy of Vertical.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by former FBI agent Paul Lindsey (pen name Noah Boyd), the film boasts a star-studded cast including Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, and Ilfenesh Hadera. The story revolves around a rogue insurgent who blackmails the CIA by assassinating foreign journalists and making it appear as if the agency is responsible. As nations turn against the U.S., the CIA must coax their most brilliant and rebellious operative, Steve Vail (Eckhart), out of retirement. Armed with elite and deadly skills, Vail’s mission is to clear the agency’s name, leading him to confront his tumultuous past while unraveling an international conspiracy.

The script for the film was penned by Hannah Weg and Matt Johnson (“Into the Blue”). Producers include Jeffrey Greenstein, Yariv Lerner, Jonathan Yunger, Heidi Jo Markel, and Robert Van Norden. Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, Erik Lindsay, Tanner Mobley, and Les Weldon serve as executive producers. The deal for the film was negotiated by Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical, with Millennium Media’s Greenstein and J.J. Nugent representing the production.

Tanner Mobley, VP of Development and Production at Millennium Media, commented, “Working with Renny is always a delight, and teaming up with Vertical was a no-brainer. We’re excited to collaborate with Vertical’s incredibly talented team who are the perfect partners for this film.”

Peter Jarowey, Vertical Partner, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Millenium as our first collaboration. Renny Harlin, possessing an acute mastery of the action-thriller genre, delivers in ‘The Bricklayer’ and elicits extraordinary performances from a cast led by Aaron Eckhart. The film, a riveting adventure through the realms of espionage and intrigue, promises to captivate audiences from start to finish.”

In addition to “The Bricklayer,” Vertical’s recent and upcoming releases include “Cold Copy,” a Tribeca thriller featuring Tracee Ellis Ross, Bel Powley, and Jacob Tremblay; Maïwenn’s 2023 Cannes opener “Jeanne Du Barry” starring Johnny Depp; Sophie Barthes’ “The Pod Generation” with Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor; Rebecca Miller’s “She Came To Me” starring Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, and Anne Hathaway; Independent Spirit Award winner “Emily the Criminal” with Aubrey Plaza and Theo Rossi; “To Catch a Killer” starring Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn; and Michael Jacobs’ “Maybe I Do” featuring Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, Emma Roberts, and Luke Bracey.