DEADLINE: Megan Lawless Joined By Fivel Stewart, Savanah Moss, Liv Morgan & Carter Jenkins In ‘Ping’; Ultimate Media Group & CAA Launch TIFF Market Sales
As seen in Deadline 9/9/26
By Andreas Wiseman
EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Mississippi on psychological thriller Ping, starring Obsession actress Megan Lawless.
Lawless is joined in the cast by Fivel Stewart (The Recruit), creator Savanah Moss, WWE star Liv Morgan (Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo) and Carter Jenkins (After).
Jason Buckley's Ultimate Media Group (UMG) is launching international sales at the TIFF market and is co-repping domestic with CAA Media Finance.
Written and directed by Richie Gordon, in his feature debut, the movie follows an aspiring creative director who lands a remote dream job but is forced to choose between her sanity and a boss she can never mute.
Pic is produced by Richie Gordon for Power Ten Productions, Ryan Winterstern for Applewood Studios, Giovanni James Guidotti and Mark Korshak for Giovanni Entertainment, Rick Moore for Eyevox Entertainment, alongside Blue Rider Media Capital and Here We Go Pictures.
The announcement marks the first time Ultimate Media Group has formally launched pre-sales on a movie at a market.
UMG reps and manages film catalogues and rights portfolios, including Lakeshore Entertainment, Relativity/Manchester, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Gold Circle Films and Lotus Entertainment, among others. The company is also currently handling sales on Macro and BK Studios' Eternal Return. Buckley's previous career stops include Lakeshore and Village Roadshow.
The film is executive-produced by Garrett Thompson, Mary Kay Cook, Sam E Gold, Jennifer Neal, Casey James, Jarod Einsohn, Harris Lane, Walter Josten, Patrick Josten, Mark Hamilton, Thomas Vogelheim, Craig Gordon, and Nanette Gordon.
Jason Buckley of Ultimate Media Group said he's excited to introduce Ping to buyers at TIFF, calling it a smart and provocative film about ambition, power, and blurred professional/personal boundaries, and expressed confidence it will resonate with global audiences.
Writer-director Richie Gordon said the film examines how the promises of modern work push people to overextend themselves, asking what "enough" looks like amid burnout culture — and noted he was moved by how much that theme resonated with Lawless and the cast, praising the crew and talent involved.
Fivel Stewart is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency and TSC Entertainment; Savannah Moss is repped by Untitled Entertainment and CAA; Liv Morgan (Gionna Daddio) is repped by CAA; Carter Jenkins is repped by Innovative Artists and Untitled Entertainment.