The Lazarus universe is getting bigger, bolder and more explosive.

On August 9, Lazarus: The Awakening was showcased during a special screening at You42 Studios in Roswell, Georgia, giving guests an opportunity to experience the high-octane action thriller ahead of its upcoming on-demand release.

Led by Sean Riggs, Lazarus: The Awakening expands the world established by Lazarus while combining grounded emotion with elevated, stylized combat and hard-hitting action.

The spectacle audiences expect from the genre, with emotional stakes built to keep them invested.
Two guests posing in front of the Lazarus: The Awakening step-and-repeat backdrop at You42 Studios.
On the Lazarus: The Awakening step-and-repeat at the August 9 screening at You42 Studios in Roswell, Georgia.

A Universe Built to Grow

Riggs not only stars in the film but also serves as a producer alongside legendary producer Andrew Stevens. Behind the camera is veteran action filmmaker Art Camacho, whose extensive experience in the genre helps give The Awakening its distinctive blend of physical action, cinematic intensity and character-driven storytelling.

Joining Riggs on screen is Courtney Grace, whose credits include Stranger Things and Tulsa King, along with R. Marcus Taylor, known for his memorable work in Straight Outta Compton, and Kiki Haynes of Tyler Perry’s All the Queen’s Men.

Lazarus: The Awakening

Release
January 30, on demand
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Star
Sean Riggs, who also produces
Director
Art Camacho
Producers
Sean Riggs and Andrew Stevens
Also Starring
Courtney Grace (Stranger Things, Tulsa King), R. Marcus Taylor (Straight Outta Compton) and Kiki Haynes (All the Queen’s Men)
Screening
August 9 at You42 Studios in Roswell, Georgia

An Atlanta Audience First

The August 9 screening at You42 Studios brought the project to the Atlanta entertainment community at a time when Georgia continues to serve as an important hub for film, television and independent production.

For Riggs, Lazarus: The Awakening represents more than another action film. The project continues the development of a larger Lazarus universe, pairing the spectacle audiences expect from the genre with emotional stakes designed to keep viewers invested in the characters behind the action.

The Lazarus: The Awakening team seated onstage for a moderated panel in front of the film’s key art.
The team takes the stage for a moderated conversation following the Roswell screening.

Emotion Underneath the Action

That combination is central to the film’s identity. Rather than relying exclusively on elaborate fight sequences and action set pieces, The Awakening seeks to ground its heightened action in human emotion, giving the physical confrontations greater weight and consequence.

Grounded emotion meets elevated, stylized combat — the fights land harder because there is something behind them.

The collaboration between Riggs, Stevens and Camacho also brings together different generations of action filmmaking. Stevens has built a decades-long career as an actor, filmmaker and producer, while Camacho has established himself through extensive work as a director, stunt coordinator and action specialist. Riggs brings the creative vision at the center of the Lazarus franchise, both in front of and behind the camera.

Portrait of Sean Riggs.
Sean Riggs stars in and produces Lazarus: The Awakening.

Counting Down to January 30

With its combination of established Hollywood veterans and recognizable contemporary talent, Lazarus: The Awakening is positioned to introduce the franchise to an even wider audience.

Following its Roswell screening, the countdown now begins toward the film’s wider release.

Lazarus: The Awakening arrives January 30 on demand via Samuel Goldwyn Films.

For action fans looking for stylized combat, emotional stakes and a new cinematic universe with room to grow, Lazarus: The Awakening is one to watch.