Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
Taz Skylar Joins Craig Fairbrass in Crime Sequel 'Villains'
Taz Skylar, known for Netflix's 'One Piece,' has joined Craig Fairbrass in the crime thriller sequel 'Villains,' which has wrapped production in London. Double Dutch International is launching sales at the TIFF market.
Taz Skylar, best known for his role in Netflix's «One Piece» and Amazon's British gangster film «Gassed Up,» has joined the cast of the crime thriller sequel «Villains.» He stars alongside Craig Fairbrass, who returns as the character Eddie Franks. The film has completed principal photography in London, and Canadian sales and production company Double Dutch International is launching sales at the Toronto International Film Festival market.
The sequel reunites Fairbrass with the role that helped define his recent career in British crime cinema. Skylar's addition brings a younger, internationally recognized face to the project, which aims to build on the success of the first film. While plot details remain under wraps, the title «Villains» suggests a continued focus on the gritty underworld themes that have become a staple of the genre. The film's production wrapped in London, a city that has long served as a backdrop for British gangster dramas.
Double Dutch International, based in Canada, is handling worldwide sales at the TIFF market, one of the key industry events for buying and selling film rights. The market runs alongside the Toronto International Film Festival, attracting distributors, producers, and financiers from around the globe. For «Villains,» the TIFF market represents a crucial opportunity to secure distribution deals in multiple territories before the film's release. The involvement of Skylar, who has a growing fan base from «One Piece,» could make the project more attractive to international buyers.
Skylar's career has been on an upward trajectory since his breakout role as Sanji in Netflix's live-action adaptation of the popular manga «One Piece.» The series became a global hit, and Skylar's performance earned him recognition beyond the anime fandom. His role in «Gassed Up» further established him as a rising talent in British cinema. Now, with «Villains,» he takes on a project that blends his action-oriented background with the darker, character-driven storytelling of a crime thriller.
Craig Fairbrass, a veteran of British gangster films such as «Rise of the Footsoldier» and «London Heist,» has built a reputation for portraying tough, complex characters. His return as Eddie Franks signals that «Villains» is a direct continuation of the story established in the first film. Fairbrass has also gained international attention through roles in Hollywood productions like «Cliffhanger» and «The Bank Job,» but his work in British crime cinema remains a defining part of his career.
The crime thriller genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, with audiences gravitating toward stories that explore the moral ambiguities of criminal life. British productions, in particular, have found success by combining local flavor with universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. «Villains» appears to follow in that tradition, offering a platform for both established stars like Fairbrass and emerging talents like Skylar.
As the TIFF market gets underway, Double Dutch International will be pitching «Villains» to potential buyers. The film's completion means it is ready for distribution, and the sales team will likely highlight its strong cast and genre appeal. While no release date has been announced, a successful market could lead to a theatrical or streaming debut in the coming months. For now, the project stands as another example of the enduring popularity of British crime dramas and the growing international reach of its stars.
