EXCLUSIVE: Megan Stalter (Hacks), Kanoa Goo (The Rookie), and Rainn Wilson (The Office) have been announced as the lead actors in ILY, BYE, a new short film directed by Taylor James. The short, written and directed by James, follows Siobhan (Stalter), a socially anxious individual who struggles to hold down a job. With the help of her best friend Gary (Goo), she secures an interview with his boss, Mr. Litchfield (Wilson). However, when Siobhan’s call to schedule the interview goes unanswered, she panics and leaves a series of unhinged voicemail messages. Determined not to lose the interview, Siobhan embarks on a chaotic mission to delete the incriminating voicemails herself. Director Taylor James jokes about pursuing his dream of filmmaking after being forced to retire from his career as a professional backup dancer at the young age of 32. He expresses gratitude for the talented cast he had the opportunity to work with on this project. Stalter is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Goo by Artists & Representatives and Entertainment 360; Wilson by UTA, Sugar23, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; and James by da Costa Talent Management.
EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired the North American rights to Reset, a documentary about the Sewol Ferry directed by Min Bae. It is set to be released on VOD and digital platforms on November 21. The documentary explores the sinking of the ferry on April 16, 2014, which resulted in the loss of 304 lives, primarily high school students who followed instructions to stay in their cabins rather than evacuate. The tragic event traumatized South Korea and had a profound impact on the nation. Three years later, the Sewol was raised from the West Sea. The documentary raises questions about why rescue efforts were neglected on the day of the disaster. Freestyle negotiated the deal directly with director-producer Min Bae and his production company Cactus Film Cinematics.
EXCLUSIVE: Lenny Platt (Quantico) has joined the cast of The Dutchman, a psychological thriller directed by Andre Gaines. The film is currently in production under an Interim Agreement and features an ensemble cast including André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Aldis Hodge, and Lauren E. Banks. Based on the Obie Award-winning play by Amiri Baraka, The Dutchman centers on a subway encounter between a wealthy Black man and a captivating white woman, who engage in a sexualized game of cat and mouse. Gaines and Qasim Basir wrote the script, with Gaines also serving as a producer alongside Jonathan T. Baker. The film is being financed by Gaines’ Cinemation Studios and E.O.A Productions. Lenny Platt is known for his roles in Quantico and The Hot Zone, as well as appearances on shows like NCIS: New Orleans, Gotham, and How to Get Away With Murder. He is represented by Buchwald, Tact Media, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
EXCLUSIVE: K-pop artist Kevin Woo, known for his time in the group U-KISS, has been cast in Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut film, K-Pops!. Woo joins the cast alongside .Paak and his son Soul Rasheed. The project, backed by Stampede Ventures and Live Nation Productions, tells the story of a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who joins a K-Pop competition show in Seoul, where he discovers that his long-lost son has the opportunity to join a popular K-Pop group. The musician sees this as a chance to revive his own career but ultimately learns the true value of fatherhood. .Paak co-wrote the script with Khaila Amazan. The film will be produced by Greg Silverman, Jon Berg, Jaeson Ma, Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park, and .Paak. Kevin Woo recently starred in the Broadway musical K-POP and has secured a leading role opposite Margaret Cho in the comedy Honorary Male. He is represented by Luber Roklin.
