Hollywood is buzzing again, and this time it’s for the high-impact action film SMOKE RELOADED — the eighth official press release in what’s turning into one of the industry’s most talked-about indie projects. With seasoned executive producers Robert Lawrence and John West Jr. leading the charge, the film is already attracting serious attention from both fans and insiders alike.
ROBERT LAWRENCE: A LEGEND BEHIND THE SCENES
Robert Lawrence, a veteran behind the scenes and older brother of legendary actor Martin Lawrence, brings a long resume of success to the table. He’s best known for producing the Bad Boys franchise and the iconic TV show Martin. While notoriously private, Lawrence is a heavy hitter who prefers to let his work speak louder than words. His relationship with John West Jr. spans decades, going all the way back to the early 1990s — even helping West land his first acting job on Martin.
JOHN WEST JR.: FROM THE FIELD TO FILMMAKING
John West Jr., @westjohn_ent a former pro football player turned actor and filmmaker, has carved out a space of his own in the industry. From appearances on shows like New York Undercover, Southland, and Waist Deep, to creating his debut feature BARBQ — which marked the first film role for Power star Omari Hardwick — West is no stranger to building from the ground up. BARBQ also featured hip-hop legend Layzie Bone, adding star power to its cult following.
MEET THE ELITE FEMALE SQUAD OF ‘SMOKE RELOADED’
Now, John West Jr. and Robert Lawrence are back with SMOKE RELOADED, an edgy action flick centered around a fierce squad of five female cops tackling a wave of armed robberies across the city. The confirmed cast includes:
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Karla Monay Shaw (@karlamonayis), playing the brains of the operation
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Candice “SiSi” Bennett (@sisi_the_great_2), playing both sides of the law
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Paris Taylor (@thimslick_mz.paris), the gritty Jamaican enforcer
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Quanita A. Smith (@unodarkandlovely71), the no-nonsense ride-or-die
The fifth slot remains open, as West and Lawrence are being intentional about casting someone who can mesh well with the existing talent — and avoid the diva mentality that often disrupts indie projects. “Everyone wants to be a star, but not everyone wants to do the work,” Robert Lawrence says.
DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT: SEGRIN PHILLIPS BRINGS VISUAL FIRE
Adding more firepower to the production is Miami-based director and editor Segrin Phillips (@sogorillafilmsmedia), a self-taught visual visionary who’s earned respect for projects like LUST and the breakout Tubi hit EXOTIC. According to John West Jr., Phillips doesn’t just shoot a movie — “he sees it in his head before the camera rolls.” EXOTIC has been gaining serious traction and is reportedly breaking streaming records on Tubi, further solidifying Phillips as a future studio-level force.
THE SCRIPT: RAW TALENT FROM LATRENA MITCHELL
The script for SMOKE RELOADED got an extra punch from Latrena Mitchell (@latrena.mitchell), a dynamic author and screenwriter from Little Rock, Arkansas. Mitchell, who’s penned several best-selling books and collaborated with John West Jr. on multiple projects, also co-wrote the upcoming thriller FLIGHT RISK (streaming May 1, 2025). She’s also attached to a future project starring A Different World’s Charnele Brown.
SUPPORTING CAST: READY TO RISE
The supporting cast is just as intentional. Hand-picked by John West Jr., it features talent ready to go all-in without the ego. Look out for names like:
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Marco Gonzales (@marcogonzalezforeal)
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DJ Hershey (@iamcoredjhershey)
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Deoineta Hightower (@project_nut929)
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Charles Jackson (@atl_fathead)
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Demarcus Jackson (@real__demarcus)
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Dalisha Taylor (@melanin_perfection34)
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Razsa (@actress_razsa)
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Tiffani Michele (@iamtiffanimichele)
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NIA (@stardancer66)
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Ceddy J (@ceddyjdusk)
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Mark Speaks Jr. (@markspeaksjr)
BEYOND ONE FILM: A NEW FRANCHISE IS BREWING
With multiple projects in development — including OVERTIME (TV One) and NO LUV — and a growing list of collaborators, Robert Lawrence and John West Jr. are building a pipeline for new talent to shine. “We want to help people get to Tyler Perry, Ryan Coogler, Dick Wolf — but they have to be ready,” says John West Jr. “Too many want the shine, but not enough want the grind.”
FINAL WORD: READY FOR IMPACT
SMOKE RELOADED aims to be more than just a movie — it’s the beginning of a franchise, one that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Bad Boys or Fast & Furious if early buzz is anything to go by.
Stay tuned — this one’s about to blow up.
Website of Source: https://www.yagroup.com
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1419158