Forest Whitaker, Michael Chiklis, Common, and Ray Liotta to star in crime flick, Pawn

Five or six years ago this cast might have sounded really promising. Michael Chiklis would be hip deep in his Emmy worthy role on The Shield; Forest Whitaker would be coming off his Oscar winning turn in The Last King of Scotland; Ray Liotta's name still held some weight; and Common would be the rapper making his big break into the movies pre-Smokin' Aces. Now this collection of talent screams "Netflix streaming".

The foursome will star in Pawn, from newbie director David A. Armstrong, and the rather generic plot centers on a hostage situation that goes terribly wrong. Deadline also describes the script by Jay Anthony White as dealing with an ex-con who gets mixed up in a "manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob". Ugh. Are they sure this isn't an AMC Channel original movie? Sure sounds like it.

Those thinking Whittaker's Oscar winning name means this film can't be all bad should probably take a hard look at the actor's resume, which is about 50% monkey piss. Don't believe me? I'll happily point you in the direction of Even Money and Our Family Wedding.