“Bitch Slap” is a post-modern, thinking man’s throwback to the “B” Movie/Exploitation films of the 1950’s - 70’s as well as a loving, sly parody of the same. Inspired by the likes of “Dragstrip Girls,” “Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill,” “Kung Fu Nun” and the pantheon of Blacksploitation films, “Bitch Slap” will mix girls, guns, outrageous action and jaw-dropping visuals with a message… don’t be naughty!

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01 April 2008

MICHAEL TO STAR IN BITCH SLAP
CAST INCLUDES OTHER HERCULES/XENA ALUMS

Michael is starring in the American feature film Bitch Slap playing Gage, a notorious underworld kingpin. The film will also feature Michael's Hercules co-star Kevin Sorbo as Mr. Phoenix (the most secretive covert agent the world has ever known), with cameos by Xena co-stars Lucy Lawless as Mother Superior and Renee O'Connor as Sister Batrill.

It's described as an exploitation film--with a healthy dose of comedy; a "thinking man’s throwback to the “B” Movie/ Exploitation films of the 1950’s-70’s as well as a loving, sly parody of the same. . . . Bitch Slap will mix girls, guns, outrageous action and jaw-dropping visuals with a message… don’t be naughty! . . . What makes Bitch Slap different is a complicated 'B' story device that runs throughout the film to illuminate character, backstory and relationship histories not previously revealed. . . . Bitch Slap also employs a mysterious Female Narrator who comments periodically on the folly of humanity, the plight of the human condition and the vagaries of life and love through quoting the likes of Dostoevsky, T.S. Eliot, Sun Tzu and even Buddha. (Bet you never heard THAT in Jailbait Babysitter!)" Read the full synopsis here.

The cast also includes Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo, Ron Melendez, William Gregory Lee, and Minae Noji.

Stunts are being coordinated and performed by Xena stunt double Zoe Bell, and the film is written and produced by Eric Gruendemann and Rick Jacobson; Jacobson is also directing. Gruendemann was Co-Executive Producer of Hercules, Xena, Young Hercules, Jack of All Trades, and Cleopatra 2525, and Jacobson directed two episodes of Hercules and twelve of Xena. A Christmas 2008 release is anticipated.