After more than a decade in development, the action film "Motor City," starring Alan Ritchson, is set to premiere in select U.S. theaters on Friday, July 24. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, the movie features Ritchson as John Miller, an ex-convict pursuing revenge against the mobster who framed him and stole his girlfriend in 1970s Detroit.
The script, penned by Chad St. John, was recognized on the 2009 Black List of best unproduced screenplays. The project experienced nearly two decades of development, with actors including Chris Evans, Dominic Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Gerard Butler having been in talks for the lead role at various stages.
"Motor City" is described as having minimal dialogue, relying primarily on action sequences and its soundtrack. In addition to Ritchson, the cast includes Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Lionel Boyce, and Shailene Woodley. Foster noted the film's emphasis on action and music, suggesting it is best suited for a big-screen viewing experience.
The film is being distributed by Independent Film Company (formerly IFC) in the U.S. It is not a Netflix original and is not currently available for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. While it is possible the movie may eventually be available on these platforms after its theatrical and digital release, it will not be a Prime original, meaning it won't be streamable for free with a Prime subscription.
The digital release date for "Motor City" has not yet been announced. However, based on IFC's release patterns for similar films, such as "Over Your Dead Body," which became available on digital platforms about one month after its theatrical debut, "Motor City" could potentially be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms around late August 2026. The studio noted that digital release schedules can vary. For audiences eager to see the film immediately, theatrical screenings are the only option currently available.