The Mule Information

The Mule is an upcoming American crime film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also plays the lead role, and written by Nick Schenk.

The film is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran in his 80s who became a drug dealer and courier for the Sinaloa Cartel. It is Eastwood's first acting project since 2012's Trouble with the Curve, and his first starring role in a film directed by himself since 2008's Gran Torino. The film also stars Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Pea, Dianne Wiest, and Andy Garcia. Filming began on June 4, 2018 in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.

It is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2018, by Warner Bros.

Cast

• Clint Eastwood as Earl Stone
• Bradley Cooper as Colin Bates
• Laurence Fishburne
• Michael Pea
• Dianne Wiest as Mary
• Andy Garcia
• Alison Eastwood as Iris
• Taissa Farmiga as Ginny
• Ignacio Serricchio
• Loren Dean
• Victor Rasuk
• Manny Montana

Production

Development

DEA Special Agent Jeff Moore, who arrested 87-year-old Leo Sharp in 2011, was interviewed by The New York Times regarding the investigation into the world's oldest and most prolific drug mule. The rights to the article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule," written by Sam Dolnick, were sold to Imperative Entertainment in 2014.

Imperative Entertainment hired Ruben Fleischer to direct and produce the film. In February 2015, Nick Schenk was hired to adapt the article into a film's screenplay.

In January 2018, it was revealed that Clint Eastwood would next star, direct and produce the film, titled The Mule, for Warner Bros. and Imperative. Producers include Eastwood for Malpaso Productions along with Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera and Jessica Meier, and Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas for Imperative Entertainment.

Casting

In January 2018, Eastwood joined the film to play the role of Earl Stone (Leo Sharp), a man in his 80s who is working as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. In May 2018, Bradley Cooper joined the cast to play the DEA agent Colin Bates (Jeff Moore), chasing Stone, and along with Cooper, Lobo Sebastian also joined the film. In June 2018, Dianne Wiest and Michael Pea joined the film's cast to play Earl Stone's ex-wife and the drug cartel enforcer, respectively. More cast was also confirmed, including Laurence Fishburne as a DEA special agent in charge, Alison Eastwood as Stone's daughter, Taissa Farmiga as Stone's granddaughter, and Ignacio Serricchio as Stone's cartel handler. That same month, Loren Dean joined the cast of the film. In July 2018, Victor Rasuk was also cast in the film, in which Manny Montana will also star.

Filming

Principal photography on the film began on June 4, 2018 in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. It will also be shot in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Release

It is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2018 in the United States and on January 2019 in the United Kingdom.