By Ice Martinez

Boxer Mike Tyson is joining Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan in Black Files, a paramedic dramatic thriller directed by Jean-Stephane Sayyvaire.

The short film is an adaptation of the novel by Shannon Burke. The setting is in the high-wire world of New York City paramedics and takes a look at the toll the job inflicts on their lives.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan is playing a first-year medic who hits the streets driving an ambulance with a grizzled vet, played by Penn. Choices they make will take them in opposite directions, as the newbie finds his desire to help people challenged to the breaking point. Burke, Ben Mac Brown and Ryan King wrote the script.

Meanwhile, Tyson’s role is described as a lead in the movie, and he will play the men’s superior officer. Tyson has stepped back from the ring for a multimedia career which made him get into the acting business. Movies include The Hangover and The Hangover Part II, as well appearances in How I Met Your Mother, Family Guy and Scary Movie V. Tyson is repped by Paradigm.

The upcoming film, Black Files is produced under the Sculptor Media banner alongside Force Majeure, James Masciello’s creative producing arm, and Projected Picture Works. Shooting is underway in New York City. Meanwhile, Open Road Films has U.S. rights and plans to release Flies theatrically. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international rights. Producers include Warren Goz and Eric Gold of Sculptor, Christopher Kopp and Lucan Toh. Penn is also producing via his Projected Picture Works partners, John Ira Palmer and John Wildermuth.