News from: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino recently welcomed the stars of the upcoming action film “Take Back,” including Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler,” “Sin City”), Michael Jai White (“The Dark Knight,” “Blood and Bone”), Gillian White (“Never Back Down,” “Days of Our Lives”) and James Russo (“Donnie Brasco,” “Django Unchained”), as well as producer Mike Hatton (“Green Book”) and director Christian Sesma — both of whom have strong ties to the Coachella Valley. In addition to housing cast and crew, Fantasy Springs provided a safe and secure environment for production meetings, rehearsals, script revisions and the film’s wrap party.

“Making an independent action movie under the best circumstances is no easy task, so I’m extremely grateful for the team we assembled to make this happen,” said Hatton. “Getting a film of this caliber shot during a pandemic could only be done with an amazing cast and crew, and with the support of valued partners like our friends at Fantasy Springs. Even though the resort doesn’t appear in this movie, it played a vital role.”

“Take Back” is the first independent film to successfully wrap principal photography following California’s shutdown order due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has affected the entertainment industry on a global scale. The film was shot on location in the Coachella Valley at breakneck speed while adhering to strict guidelines set forth by local, county and state agencies. However, Sesma and Hatton devised an even stricter COVID playbook to ensure the safety and success of the production, including frequent testing throughout pre-production and production, mandatory wearing of masks, and quarantine of remote crew.

“The safety of the cast and crew should be just as important as the quality of the movie,” Sesma said. “In this new era of filmmaking, I’m proud that Mike (Hatton) and I and our amazing team were the first to get one done.”

In “Take Back,” Zara (Gillian White) and Brian (Michael Jai White) are living a seemingly perfect life when a mysterious man (Rourke) from Zara’s past kidnaps their teenage daughter. With the help of a small-town sheriff (Russo), the couple races to save their daughter before she’s sold into the sex trade.

With “Take Back,” Sesma and Hatton have established themselves as the pre-eminent independent filmmakers in the Coachella Valley. “Pay Dirt,” a crime-heist action comedy written, directed and produced by Sesma with Hatton, who also co-stars alongside Val Kilmer, Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes, and Luke Goss, made its worldwide debut earlier this month. The film was shot on location in the Coachella Valley and features several scenes at Fantasy Springs.