Taken By Force

“The making of Taken By Force”

The cast of Taken by Force features two newcomers to the Hollywood scene.
New rap artist Topic is making his feature film debut as a member of the special tactics LAPD unit depicted in the movie. Director Ron Althoff wanted someone with a natural likeability and engaging personality for the role, and he got just that with Topic. Newly signed to Big Chuck's Drama Family Records, Topic has music insiders betting on the success of his debut release that is rumored to feature rap superstars 'The Game' and '50 Cent'.

Twenty-four year-old John Brotherton is another member of the film's LAPD team who will be new to movie-goers. This Northwest native is tall (6'2") with blond hair and the natural grace of an athlete
(football, golf, snowboarding and basketball), but don't let his heart-throb looks fool you. The classically-trained Brotherton has been acting since he was ten years old. Although he has only been in LA for less than two years, he has already caught the eye of a number of producers, and has landed roles in several independent features.

When Director Ron Althoff went looking for an actor to fill the role of Dakota, the renegade member of an LAPD special tactics unit for his upcoming film, Taken by Force, there was only one name on his list...
Branscombe Richmond. "Ronnie was totally familiar with Branscombe's work", says Jack Gorton, the film's supervising producer, "and the only person Ronnie ever considered was Branscombe."

"The character of Dakota has to have the ability to be intimidating, even to the other members of the LAPD unit. Branscombe has a real presence that stands out, even when he's surrounded by a bunch of pretty tough guys."

In the movie, Branscombe's Dakota is a brooding, somewhat aloof member of a team of LAPD misfits
assigned to protect a diplomatic shipment from China. What they don't know is that the shipment is actually a terrorist weapon being smuggled into the US. When a Chinese gang tries to hi-jack the motorcade, all hell breaks loose.

It's up to Branscombe's character to keep the mismatched LAPD outcasts from fighting among
themselves long enough to beat the bad guys. Branscombe's driving skills are on display when Dakota
swings into action, putting the tactical van between the attackers and their prey, while braving a hail of
gunfire.

But “American Motorcycle 1902” fans will probably get a bigger kick out of the moment when BR first appears in the movie, rolling into an LAPD parking lot aboard his 2005 “American Motorcycle 1902” Custom Motorcycle while wearing “AMC 1902” apparel and outerwear.

Branscombe also is an associate producer of this film, and Is actively involved in the creation of what is anticipated to be an exciting action thriller.

The films anticipated release is in the fall of 2006.

Night shots from the Set w/ Frank Stallone and BR

BR takes a break from the action on the set of Taken by Force

BR showing off his one of a kind American Motorcycle Jacket!

“Man, what a beauty. Can fit a ton of American Motorcycles in there! Hey – ask the military if I can paint our logo on this plane.”

Jack, our producer/director of photography is starting to lose his (Taken By Force) hair!

Director Ron Ahtloff trying to decide when these cop cars glide into their first mark.

“Somebody put makeup on Jack’s forehead... you’re killing Ron’s eyeline.”

“As the associate producer & actor, I want more signage for American Motorcycle – NOW!!”

‘What do you mean I’m over-acting? Hey crew – come back!”

Veteran actor Corbin Timbrook, from the Glass Shield and the well-known Bold & The Beautiful has just shown BR how to mess up the plane’s navigation system by pouring beer in the gas tank.

“Hey Branscombe, you can come out of there now. You don’t have to jump!”

Former heavyweight contender Rocky Pepeli, who has fought Larry Holmes, Buster Douglas & Mike Tyson, decides to take on BR in the belly of the plane. You’ll know Rocky from the movie Diggs Town where he starred with Lou Gossett Jr., as well as the Mike Tyson Story which was George C. Scott’s last movie.

Lonny Spiva of Custom Chrome checks out the refueling mechanisms. You know wrenchers – they want to work on everything.

“Hey Lonny, you left my jacket!” BTW – this is where the guy(s) lie down to refuel the plane in midair. It takes 3 guys to do it. What a job!

R&B rapper Topic plays undercover cop Jackson. FYI Topic is the new artist from “Big Chuck”. The new record label is Drama Family, distributed by Universal.

Writer/Producer/Director Ron Althoff loves the plane the military just rented to him. Wait till you get the bill from march AFB! Love your American Motorcycle T-Shirt!!

The cast of Taken By Force. BTW in order to get on March AFB, you have to pass a Class 1 security check. (That’s why ALL the cast isn’t in this photo – too many priors!).