Greer's OC

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) proudly announces the World Premiere of Old Guy as the 2024 Opening Night film on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at Regal Edwards Big Newport, followed by an exclusive after party at Fashion Island. Expected to attend the screening are director Simon West and star Christoph Waltz, who will be honored with the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival Icon Award. The film launches the festival’s 25th edition, which runs from October 17-24. The Avenue is set to release Old Guy in spring 2025.

Old Guy, starring Christoph Waltz, Cooper Hoffman, and Lucy Liu, follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who believes he's still at the top of his game. Frustrated with a desk job and longing for the affections of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny gets a second chance when he's assigned to mentor Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a brilliant yet rebellious assassin. As they target a rival syndicate, the unlikely duo discovers their employer's real plan: replacing the old guard. Together with Anata, they set out to stop The Company and prove that age is just a number.

Directed by Simon West (The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Old Guy is written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son) and produced by Jib Polhemus, Martin Brennan, West, and others. The film's executive producers include Highland Film Group’s Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier, and The Avenue’s JJ Caruth.

“The Festival is thrilled to host the World Premiere of Simon West’s Old Guy as the Opening Night film for our 25th anniversary,” said Gregg Schwenk, CEO and Executive Director of NBFF. “With Christoph Waltz attending to receive the Icon Award, it promises to be an unforgettable night. We look forward to announcing more films and special events in the coming weeks.”

Christoph Waltz, a two-time Academy Award winner for his roles in Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained, will receive the Icon Award in recognition of his remarkable career. His film credits also include Big Eyes, The French Dispatch, No Time To Die, and Spectre. Upcoming projects include Dracula: A Love Tale and Frankenstein.

The Opening Night Gala, hosted at Fashion Island, will feature live entertainment and culinary tastings from two dozen of Newport Beach’s finest restaurants. Following the screening, attendees are invited to continue the celebration at the after-party. Tickets for the Opening Night Film and Gala are $225, with Gala events open to guests 21 and older.

For Festival passes, tickets, and complete line-up, visit NewportBeachFilmFest.com.