Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez Launches Brass Knuckle Films

Robert Rodriguez — the renegade filmmaker behind genre classics like From Dusk Till Dawn, The Faculty, and Machete — is launching a new banner called Brass Knuckle Films, allowing fans to directly invest in movies in exchange for various perks.

The Big Picture: Trying to boost fan involvement in movie slates has taken off in recent years, whether through platforms like Legion M or on the blockchain with NFT franchises like Runner. Brass Knuckle Films differentiates itself, though, by being the first organized directly by a renowned filmmaker. If the bet pays off, other entrepreneurial-minded talent working outside of the studio system may try something similar.

Behind the Scenes: Robert Rodriguez wants you to get in on the action.

• Using the global investment platform Republic, Brass Knuckle Films is a vehicle to directly invest in Rodriguez’s Austin-based Troublemaker Studios.
• The company is focusing entirely on action films (which Rodriguez says the studios are desperate for), giving fans the ability to invest anywhere from $250 to $1 million, with each tier in between corresponding with a unique set of perks and financial returns.
• Additionally, when fans invest in the slate, they also get the chance to submit an idea for a movie directly to the team. Ten finalists will be selected to pitch their idea to Rodriguez, with one chosen to be turned into a film.

Closing Credits: Since the beginning of his career, Rodriguez has always prioritized a DIY approach to getting movies off the ground, which turned him into an inspiration for a generation of filmmakers. While Rodriguez has worked in a variety of genres, action has always been his mainstay, making hits on a relatively shoestring budget. That’s the same ethos he hopes to bring to Brass Knuckle. It’s like Kickstarter on steroids… but one that could be more financially sustainable than a one-off project.