Local filmmakers have been sweeping the Seattle area for locations for their upcoming film, “Matt’s Chance”, a dark comedy about a mid-20s cowboy who spirals into revenge after finding his fiancé sleeping with another man.

‘“Matt’s Chance” is a dark tale about love and revenge, and the fickle nature of human morale: how we will do whatever it takes in crazy situations to find ourselves. The movie is about self-discovery,”’ said writer and director Nicholas Gyeney.

Written over the holidays, Gyeney based the script off the real-life experiences of a man who lives in Ballard.

Gyeney began his company, Mirror Images Ltd., in 2006 after finishing his first professional independent film at the University of Southern California. Childhood friend, Nathan Riley, is helping Gyeney produce the film while his college film professor, David Friedle, came on as the second unit director.

Consequently, Friedle also offered his three-story Ballard home to use as Matt’s house in the film.

“The house has a city-feel to it, and the character Matt is out of his element, [he is not really a city. Matt is living in a house that doesn’t quite match him; it matches the girl in the movie,” said Friedle.

If an upscale house can make the main character feel alienated, King’s Hardware in Ballard might be just the place for him.

“Ballard is one of those quintessential Seattle areas. King’s Hardware has this very, almost hipster, feel to it,” said Gyeney. Friedle added, “There is a grittiness to it.”

Natural wood tables and chairs give a Western feel to the scene. Here, between the staring eyes of dead creatures, Matt will meet his rival, Tyler Swift, who cheats with his fiancé at the beginning of the film.

“There are animals on the walls. [The environment into this savage meeting between two men,” explained Gyeney of why he chose King’s as a location.

The crew will be filming at King’s on Tuesday, April 3.

Growing up in Mill Creek, Gyeney has always wanted to make a film in Seattle. He said the environment is beautiful, yet under-utilized in film.

Edward Furlong star of “American History X” and “Terminator 2” plays the main character Matt. Gyeney wanted more comedic elements, so he included local comedian, Edi Zanidache who plays the trash-talking priest. The film also stars Lee Majors from “6 Million Dollar Man”, Gary Busey of “Lethal Weapon” and “Predator 2”, and Margot Kidder of “Superman I-II” and “Black Christmas”. Seattle Seahawks running back, Marshawn Lynch plays a ‘goon’ who robs a bank.

“I didn’t realize what an impact having Lynch would have,” said Gyeney.

Football-crazed Seattle fans have taken notice of the film thanks to Lynch’s presence on set. Placed in Seattle, the twelfth man can feel connected having one of their local celebrities in the film.

“Lynch is hilarious. He definitely has that security guard build and he looks good on film,” said Riley.

Former stunt double for John Travolta, Mark Riccardi, brings his 25 years of experience on set. He is the stunt coordinator for the film and plays the second goon with Lynch.

“I made a career out of just playing the bad guy. I always wanted to be the guy that was thrown through the window in movies,” said Riccardi. “Then I was put in the position of working with Lynch. He’s like a kid in a candy store [being in his first.”

A neo-noir film style offers an intense, pop-funk, localized comic-book vibe according to Gyeney, who referenced 50s detective movies. The film continues to flashback to Matt looking at his life in the reflection of a barbershop mirror, narrating the dark events that are about to unfold.

“This is not just an indie film for us . . . we wanted to build up the community with film,” said Riley. “[Every day we that we are making something special. It’s great to have people as excited as we are for the film.”

The crew is putting in 15 to 17 hour days since shooting began on March 20. Filming will conclude in another week.

“We’re constantly moving. We’re all running on adrenaline, Red Bull, and Zipfizz,” said Riley.

The dynamic team has five more films on their slate after this one. “Matt’s Chance” is set to release in September or October, will be in the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), and submitted to the Sundance Film Festival.