On June 1, 2025 Sumo Champions meet the Old West in this thrilling adventure from international action star Alexander Nevsky, directed by Joe Cornet, with real sumo legends co-starring. The Wide West debuts on NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play in North America. Experience the wild, action-filled tale of friendship, honor and gunslinging like never before with this U.S.-Japanese Western thriller.
“I’m happy to continue our business relationship with NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play and present THE WIDE WEST to the millions of viewers in North America! I’d like to thank my friend and ITN Studios president Stuart Alson for making this deal. My previous Western TAKEN FROM RIO BRAVO stayed on Xumo Play “Most Popular” list for many months and I can’t wait to show the new film on June 1st!” – says Alexander Nevsky.
Movie Synopsis: Three-time Mr. Universe Alexander Nevsky joins Sumo Champions Hiroki Sumi (John Wick 4) and Ichi (Ballerina), and also Nick Baillie (Malicious), Tatiana Neva (Taken from Rio Bravo) in an epic Western adventure from director Joe Cornet (A Prayer For The Damned). 1907. A professional gambler Max (Alexander Nevsky) aids the traveling Japanese sumo wrestlers (Hiroki Sumi, Ichi), the local Judge (Nick Baillie) and beautiful store owner Sybil (Tatiana Neva) against ruthless outlaw (Joe Cornet) and his gang who have attacked a small Californian town. The film is inspired by true events: in the beginning of 20th century, the first-ever sumo delegation from Japan, led by the great Sumo wrestler Hitachiyama, traveled through the United States to Washington D.C., where they met with President Theodore Roosevelt.
ITN STUDIOS ACQUIRE U.S. – JAPANESE ACTION WESTERN “THE WIDE WEST” STARRING ALEXANDER NEVSKY
ITN Studios, a Las Vegas-based production, financing and sales company, has acquired worldwide rights to U.S. – Japanese Western THE WIDE WEST starring international action star and three-time Mr. Universe Alexander Nevsky (Gunfight at Rio Bravo) and Sumo Champions Hiroki Sumi (John Wick 4) and Ichi (Ballerina). It’s the first time ever that real sumo wrestlers star in a feature film.
Nevsky plays a gambler who aids the mysterious Japanese travelers against ruthless outlaws who have attacked a small Californian town. Nick Baillie, Tatiana Neva, Kaz Kobayashi and Joe Cornet round out the key cast.
The film is inspired by true events: In 1907, the first-ever sumo delegation from Japan, led by the great Hitachiyama, traveled through the United States to Washington D.C., where they met with President Theodore Roosevelt.
Joe Cornet directed THE WIDE WEST from Craig Hamann’s screenplay. Sumo expert Andrew Freund created the story and produced the film alongside Alexander Nevsky and his Hollywood Storm production shingle. Nick Baillie and Bryan Boches served as co-producers. Eric Brenner (Crazy Heart) executive produced through ETA Films.
Nevsky announced the deal which he brokered with ITN Studios President Stuart Alson.
THE WIDE WEST is completely finished and will be introduced to buyers at the upcoming Marche Du Film international film market in Cannes.
Hollywood Storm, a Los Angeles-based production and financing company, has released the first trailer and artwork for the American / Japanese Western THE WIDE WEST at the American Film Market in Las Vegas.
The action-packed Western is directed by Joe Cornet (A Prayer for the Damned). Script is written by Craig Hamann (Showdown in Manila).
International action star and three-time Mr. Universe Alexander Nevsky (Gunfight at Rio Bravo) and Sumo Champions Hiroki Sumi (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Ichi (Ballerina) are starring in THE WIDE WEST. Nick Baillie (Malicious), Tatiana Neva (Prey of Wrath), Kaz Kobayashi (Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai) and Joe Cornet are co-starring.
Storyline: 1907. The first-ever sumo delegation from Japan, led by Sumo Legends, travels through the United States to Washington D.C. to meet with President Theodore Roosevelt. When the train is stopped for track repairs, they have to stop in a dangerous Western town, where trouble awaits.
Sumo expert Andrew Freund created the story (based on actual 1907 events) and produced the film alongside Nevsky. Nick Baillie and Bryan Boches served as co-producers. Eric Brenner (Crazy Heart) executive produced through his ETA Films production shingle.
THE WIDE WEST is currently in post-production and will be released internationally in 2025.