Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking up the cast of precious cargo, you probably just saw a clip on social media or stumbled across it while scrolling through a streaming service late at night. It’s one of those 2016 action thrillers that feels like it shouldn't exist, yet there it is, starring Bruce Willis and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.
It's a strange movie.
Max Adams directed this heist flick based on his own short film, and honestly, the behind-the-scenes vibe is almost more interesting than the plot itself. You have a massive movie star in Willis, who was deep into his "direct-to-video" era, paired with Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell. It sounds like a fever dream. But the cast actually has some seasoned character actors who do a lot of the heavy lifting while the big names collect their paychecks.
The Big Names Leading the Cast of Precious Cargo
The main draw, at least on the poster, is Bruce Willis. He plays Eddie Pilain. Eddie is your classic, garden-variety ruthless crime boss. By 2016, Willis was notorious for filming his scenes in just a few days, often staying in one or two locations while the rest of the production moved around him. In this film, he spends a lot of time looking disappointed in people, which, to be fair, he's very good at. He brings that weary, "I’ve seen it all" gravitas, even if he isn't doing the heavy stunts anymore.
Then you have Mark-Paul Gosselaar playing Jack.
Jack is a world-class thief. Gosselaar is actually pretty charming here. He’s got this roguish energy that makes you forget he once played a high schooler with a giant brick phone. He’s the guy trying to navigate a messy situation involving an ex-girlfriend and a massive heist. Unlike Willis, Gosselaar is in the thick of it, doing the running, the shooting, and the "cool guy" banter.
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Claire Forlani plays Karen. You might remember her from Meet Joe Black or Mallrats. In this movie, she’s the catalyst. She shows up pregnant—supposedly with Jack’s baby—and tells him she owes Eddie (Willis) a ton of money after a failed heist. It’s a classic noir setup, though played with a lot more explosions and jet skis. Forlani does what she can with a character that is mostly there to move the plot from Point A to Point B.
The Supporting Players You Might Recognize
While the trio at the top gets the billing, the cast of precious cargo is filled out by some "hey, it's that guy" actors.
- John Brotherton plays Nicholas. Brotherton has a very specific "action movie henchman" or "frat guy grown up" look. He’s been in Fuller House and The Conjuring. Here, he’s part of the mercenary/thief crew.
- Jenna B. Kelly plays Logan. She’s the sniper. Every heist movie needs a cool, detached sniper, and she fits the bill. She actually worked with the director again in The 2nd.
- Nick Loeb shows up as Andrew. If that name sounds familiar outside of movies, it’s probably because of his highly publicized legal battles regarding frozen embryos with his ex, Sofia Vergara. In this film, he’s just another part of the criminal underworld.
- Daniel Bernhardt plays Simon. If you like 90s martial arts movies or John Wick, you know Daniel. He is a legit legend in the stunt world and played Agent Johnson in The Matrix Reloaded. Having him in the cast adds some genuine action credibility to the fight choreography.
Why the Dynamics Work (and Why They Don't)
The chemistry is... alright. Gosselaar and Forlani have that "we have a complicated past" vibe down, but it’s the crew interactions that actually make the movie watchable. The banter between the thieves feels natural, even if the dialogue is a bit trope-heavy.
The weirdest part?
The tone shifts. One minute it’s a lighthearted caper with jet skis in Gulfport, Mississippi, and the next, Bruce Willis is threatening to murder everyone. The cast of precious cargo had to balance these two very different movies. It’s basically a B-movie with an A-list budget (or at least an A-list salary for Willis).
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Critics weren't kind. The movie holds a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. That is hard to achieve. You almost have to try to get a 0%. But audiences often find it a "guilty pleasure" because it doesn't take itself too seriously. If you go in expecting Heat, you'll be mad. If you go in expecting a goofy heist movie where Mark-Paul Gosselaar tries to be an action star, you might actually have a good time.
Where Are They Now?
Looking at the cast of precious cargo years later shows some interesting career paths. Bruce Willis, as the world now knows, retired from acting due to his diagnosis of aphasia and later frontotemporal dementia. This film was part of a prolific period where he was churning out several movies a year to secure his family's financial future.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar has stayed busy in television. He leaned back into his comedic roots with the Saved by the Bell revival and has done plenty of procedural work. Claire Forlani pops up in various indie projects and international productions.
The film itself has become a staple of "free with ads" streaming platforms. It’s the kind of movie that thrives on Tubi or Pluto TV. People search for it because it’s accessible and features faces they know.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night
If you’re planning to watch the movie because of the cast of precious cargo, here is how to actually enjoy it:
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- Lower the Bar: Treat this as a "popcorn movie." It’s designed for a lazy Sunday afternoon where you’re half-on-your-phone.
- Watch for the Stunts: Since Daniel Bernhardt is involved, some of the physical action is actually better than the script suggests. Look for the practical stunt work.
- Appreciate the Location: It was filmed in Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual Los Angeles or Atlanta backdrops you see in these types of thrillers.
- The Willis Watch: If you’re a Bruce Willis completist, pay attention to how they frame his scenes. It’s a masterclass in how to include a superstar in a movie when you only have them for 48 hours.
The movie isn't going to win an Oscar. It’s not even going to win a local film festival award. But as a snapshot of mid-2010s VOD action cinema, it’s a perfect example. You have a fading superstar, a TV lead trying to break into movies, and a solid group of stunt-capable actors doing their best with a script about $30 million in diamonds.
To get the most out of your viewing, check out the director’s short film of the same name first. It’s interesting to see how a small, tight concept gets bloated into a feature-length film once the studio gets involved. You can clearly see where the "filler" was added to stretch the runtime to 90 minutes.
Final Takeaway
The cast of precious cargo is a mix of nostalgia and practical business. It exists because these names sell in international markets. Whether you're there for Gosselaar's smirk or Willis's scowl, go in with realistic expectations.
Next time you see a movie with a 0% rating, don't immediately run away. Sometimes, those are the most entertaining ones to pick apart with friends. Watch it for the weird chemistry, the Mississippi scenery, and the chance to see Zack Morris hold a machine gun.