Matthias Hues
Matthias Hues has spent four decades in front of the camera and, more recently, on the page: building a body of work as a screen actor and, in parallel, a growing shelf of original novels and nonfiction.
Founders
Leslie Carleton
Writer. Actress. Producer. Creative Partner.
View Leslie Carleton on IMDb →
Leslie Carleton began her career as a Max Factor model, then went on to grace international magazines, billboards and advertising campaigns; embodying health, fitness and beauty. Her background in modeling helped to seamlessly transition into screenwriting, producing, and acting. Carleton's work ethic, personality and enduring charm have led to roles such as TV co-host and appearances in TV commercials and feature films. Her global influence extends beyond entertainment; in 2021 "RTL Exclusiv" in Germany sought her out for health and fitness advice, running the segment for nearly 3 years. Despite her Hollywood roots, Carleton's philanthropic work and inspirational presence have taken her around the world, living in four countries and leaving a lasting impact wherever she goes with a passion for her craft and unwavering commitment to excellence. After raising two sons, Carleton earned a black belt in Karate and jujitsu. From 2010 to date, she has been writing and producing feature films with her partner Matthias Hues. Carleton's influence will continue to shine in any project she undertakes.
Nick McKinless
Director. Producer.
Nick McKinless is a director and producer working across film and television, focused on story-driven genre projects that combine physical realism with emotional restraint.
With a background in action design and physical storytelling, Nick brings a strong command of performance, scale and on-set execution to his directing. His approach uses genre not simply for spectacle, but as a framework for exploring character, behaviour and consequence.
His feature directorial debut, Take Cover, achieved a No. 1 position on Hulu and strong international streaming performance following its theatrical release.
Nick is currently developing and producing original film and television projects, alongside directing select commercial work and exploring emerging AI-driven production technologies. His career spans decades of collaboration with leading filmmakers and performers across the international industry, shaping a calm, actor-focused approach to directing, combined with a practical understanding of physical production and the evolving possibilities of AI-enhanced filmmaking.
Short bio
German-born, U.S.-based actor and martial artist Matthias Hues has built an international reputation across action cinema — as the towering antagonist, the coldly efficient villain, and, in I Come in Peace, the alien enforcer whose signature line became one of the genre's most quoted moments. A black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an accomplished kickboxer, he brings the same physical precision to a second body of work: the Shadow Affairs and Dane Cross Thrillers series, and the nonfiction Will AI Kill Us All — Analyzed by AI.
The full record
Matthias Hues was born in Waltrop, Germany. Before Hollywood, he was a competitive athlete and a serious martial artist, eventually earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and building a career as an accomplished kickboxer. He trained at Gold's Gym and landed his breakthrough role in No Retreat, No Surrender 2. What followed was a long run as one of action cinema's most recognizable presences — including the towering alien enforcer of I Come in Peace. Across dozens of film and television credits, he worked alongside genre names including Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Jeff Wincott, Lorenzo Lamas, Billy Blanks, Bolo Yeung, and Mark Dacascos. In parallel, Matthias began writing — first a screenplay conceived on location in Uzbekistan, which became the foundation for a growing shelf of thriller fiction and nonfiction under his own name.
Record and Invention
Record
The discipline of an athlete and martial artist, the craft of a working screen actor across dozens of productions.
Invention
Built on the same instinct for structure, stakes, and pacing — original stories now published under his own name.
Creative philosophy
Matthias treats acting and writing as the same discipline pointed at different mediums: build the stakes honestly, respect the audience's intelligence, and never let spectacle substitute for a story that's actually been thought through.