Cuba Gooding Jr. Set to Lead Neo-Western Revenge Thriller THE MADNESS OF JUDGE JEREMIAH DOHERTY
Cuba Gooding Jr. is taking the lead role in The Madness of Judge Jeremiah Doherty, a neo-Western thriller from filmmaker Nika Agiashvili.
Described as a raw, emotionally-charged story in the spirit of Man on Fire, No Country for Old Men, and Sicario, this upcoming film is shaping up to be an intense ride through justice, vengeance, and the blurred lines in between.
The story centers on a tough-as-nails Texas judge, played by Gooding Jr., who survives a cartel assassination attempt only to find out his wife has been kidnapped and is presumed dead.
Ditching the rule of law, he teams up with the very hitman sent to kill him and begins a relentless mission across the U.S.–Mexico border to uncover the truth and, if possible, bring her home. Along the way, they’ll battle mercenaries, crooked law enforcement, and violent biker gangs in a high-stakes quest for justice.
The Madness of Judge Jeremiah Doherty marks a reunion for Gooding Jr. and Agiashvili, who previously worked together on the recently wrapped thriller Atlas King.
“Working with Cuba on Atlas King was a masterclass in trust, instinct, and presence,” said Agiashvili. “He brought a level of intensity and humanity to the role that elevated every scene. From day one, we knew this was the beginning of a deeper collaboration, and Judge Doherty gives us the perfect canvas to build on that creative chemistry.”
Gooding Jr. shared similar praise for Agiashvili’s directing approach, saying: “Nika is the kind of director who creates real space for actors to live inside the role. He doesn’t impose, he invites. On Atlas King, I got to explore, to take risks, and it made the work more honest. I’m excited to reunite with him on Judge Doherty. It’s the kind of story that hits hard, and he’s the filmmaker to tell it.”
Throughout his career, Gooding Jr. has built a reputation for powerful performances, from his Oscar-winning role as Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire to standout appearances in Boyz n the Hood, A Few Good Men, As Good as It Gets, and Men of Honor.