B-boy Alex Ponce "Abu" flips
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Duane Adler Attached to Direct True-Life Dance Drama Inspired by B-Boy Alex Ponce, With Screenplay by Aaron Mostow and Representation by WME
Alex influenced me not only as a person and a dancer, but also through the profound impact he had on the hip-hop and breaking community. His story is one that deserves to be shared”— Aaron Mostow
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, July 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — THIRD COAST FILM KICKS OFF CASTING FOR ONE BREAKER, ONE MOVE, WITH NEELY GURMAN SERVING AS CASTING DIRECTOR
Duane Adler Is Set to Direct This True-Life Dance Drama Inspired by B-Boy Alex Ponce, with a Screenplay from Aaron Mostow and Representation via WME
LOS ANGELES, CA — Third Coast Film has initiated the casting process for One Breaker, One Move, the forthcoming feature film based on the real-life story of Alex Ponce, the talented young B-boy from Santa Ana whose ascent in the late-1990s breakdancing scene was halted by a severe brain tumor diagnosis.
Casting director Neely Gurman is spearheading the effort to find the actors who will depict Alex’s world—and the film’s challenging blend of physicality, emotional resonance, and genuineness.
Duane Adler, the visionary behind Save the Last Dance and the Step Up series, is attached to direct. The screenplay was penned by Aaron Mostow, a fellow dancer from Alex’s breakdancing crew, and is rooted in the authentic tale of friendship, family, persistence, and dance’s transformative influence. Third Coast Film is producing the project.
One Breaker, One Move tracks Alex as he becomes a standout figure in Southern California’s B-boy culture, only to confront an unimaginable personal struggle just as his future begins to take shape. Confronted with overwhelming hardship, Alex’s spirit, bravery, and dedication to his craft leave a lasting impression on all those around him.
Set against the gritty, high-energy backdrop of Southern California hip-hop and breaking at the turn of the millennium, One Breaker, One Move is designed as a lively and visually striking dance film intended for the big screen. Electrifying dance routines and the music and culture of that era drive a narrative anchored in a beautiful romance and Alex’s remarkable courage and resilience. The outcome is a movie meant to be both thrilling and enjoyable, as well as moving and inspiring.
Director Duane Adler adds, “This is a story of determination and perseverance, of staring down obstacles in front of you, while inspiring others around you to do the same. Alex’s legacy will live on in all of us thru this film, whether a dancer or not.”
“At Third Coast Film, we are always drawn to true stories that carry real energy, heart, and inspiration,” said Brian Williams, Executive Producer. “Alex Ponce’s story embodies all of that and more. It is vibrant, emotional, and ultimately uplifting, grounded in authentic hip-hop culture and driven by a spirit that feels both cinematic and deeply human.”
Screenwriter Aaron Mostow said, “What inspired me most was Alex's journey and the legacy he left behind. Alex influenced me not only as a person and a dancer, but also through the profound impact he had on the hip-hop and breaking community. His story is one that deserves to be shared”.
The film arrives amid ongoing global fascination with breakdancing and its surrounding culture, while highlighting a deeply intimate story centered on community, ambition, and optimism. WME is representing the project.
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Third Coast Film is a Tennessee-based production company dedicated to creating and producing commercially oriented feature films and television projects that merge compelling narratives with significant themes. The firm specializes in uncovering stories that appeal to wide audiences while providing strong market potential.
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