Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles!
Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for updates, and keep checking Backstage for the latest news on project development during this time.
“Haunted Mansion”
The Haunted Mansion is about to be more than a beloved Disneyland ride. An upcoming feature film will follow the attraction’s promise of 999 haunts (with room for one more) by pulling directly from the source. The film will follow a ghost tour guide who’s hired to investigate a haunted house alongside a gang of socially inept afterlife experts. Justin Simien (“Dear White People”) is set to direct, with Katie Dippold (“The Heat”) writing. The comedy has already nailed down part of its cast through Carmen Cuba Casting, including Tiffany Haddish and LaKeith Stanfield. The project is set to shoot in New Orleans and Atlanta in October.
“Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”
Ryan Murphy is stepping into Stephen King territory to produce an upcoming Netflix film. Adapted from a short story of the same name from King’s 2020 collection “If It Bleeds,” the film will follow a young boy who finds friendship after doing odd jobs for an eccentric billionaire who has just moved to town around the time of the first iPhone’s release. When the older man passes away, the boy discovers that he can receive voicemails from beyond the grave. The film will be written and directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Murphy alongside horror staple Blumhouse. Casting is already underway with Terri Taylor, though no actors have been officially attached. Production is set to start in October in a to-be-announced location.
“The Last Police”
A Fox pilot is staring down the end of humanity with “The Last Police.” The story, adapted from Ben Winters’ novel “The Last Policeman,” follows two small-town detectives as they prepare for the impact of a deadly asteroid that’s hurtling toward Earth and threatening to wipe out mankind. The two partners are at odds: One believes she’s been called upon to save the planet, while the other is cynical enough to revel in what he believes will be her inevitable failure. The hourlong thriller will be written, directed, and executive produced by Kyle Killen (“Awake”). Scott Genkinger is casting the pilot, which has already begun production in Utah.
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This story originally appeared in the Aug. 19 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.