Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s first English-language film, Broken Horses, has started shooting in Los Angeles with Vincent D’Onofrio [pictured], Anton Yelchin and Chris Marquette heading the cast.

Financed by India’s Reliance Entertainment, the film is produced by Chopra, Subhash Dhar and Mandeville Films partners David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman.

Chopra also co-wrote the screenplay for the film, based on his original story, with Abhijat Joshi (3 Idiots). The epic thriller is set against the backdrop of gang wars on the US-Mexico border.

Behind-the-scenes talent on the film includes DoP Tom Stern (The Hunger Games), production designer Toby Corbett (Bad Lieutenant) and costume designer Mary Vogt (Batman Returns). Supporting cast includes Spanish star Maria Valverde, Thomas Jane and Sean Patrick Flanery.

“I am delighted to be part of an exemplary collaborative effort between the cast and the crew of Broken Horses,” said Chopra in a statement. “I am honored to be working with such a talented group of people. This is special.”

US production company Mandeville Films has produced films such as David O. Russell’s The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, and The Muppets. The company is currently in pre-production on The Muppets 2.