"Range 15," a feature-length film backed by Ranger Up and Article 15 Clothing, and starring two Medal of Honor recipients, had raked in more than $353,000 via its Indiegogo donation page as of Monday morning, about a week after the fundraiser launched. The campaign has 39 days to go, and the producers pledge that future donations will only make the "best military movie ever" even better.
"Bottom Line: The more we raise, the more badass your movie becomes," according to the donation website. Possible additions include celebrity cameos (the website mentions Carl "Apollo Creed" Weathers along with a plea to several A-list Hollywood actresses), and improved special effects.
The movie will star former Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer and retired Army Master Sgt. Leroy Petry, both recipients of the Medal of Honor for their actions in Afghanistan, as well as Tim Kennedy, a Special Forces soldier/mixed martial artist whose Ranger Up roles have, until now, been limited to viral videos.
Filming is set for October, with the trailer to debut at January's SHOT Show in Las Vegas and the movie's premiere set for April. Between corporate sponsors and the funds contributed by the clothing-makers, the film had a $500,000 budget before the first donation.
Donors can earn everything from access to a members-only Facebook page about the project to special-edition clothing items to a chance to be in the movie as a zombie — the undead option runs $2,500 and comes with the tagline, "Always wanted your face smashed in by an MoH recipient? Now is your chance!"
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
