We've got some up-to-the-minute casting news to bring you, along with a first-look image:
- The Identical - A musical drama directed by Dustin Marcellino and starring Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Joe Pantoliano and Ray Liotta. The picture will have a special screening at AFM on November 8th.
- Mississippi Grind - Sienna Miller to join Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn in Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s new feature. Production is set to begin January 2014 in New Orleans.
Hit the jump for more on each picture.
Here's the press release, with bolded synopsis, and first-look image for The Identical:
Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Joe Pantoliano and Ray Liotta Star in Vision Films’ THE IDENTICAL
Musical tale to have Special Screening at AFM on Nov. 8th
LOS ANGELES, CA, (November 6, 2013)— Vision Films, a worldwide distributor of independent feature films, documentaries and music programming, has announced today that they have picked up international sales rights to THE IDENTICAL, the musical drama directed by Dustin Marcellino and starring Blake Rayne, Erin Cotrell (“Love’s Long Journey”), Amanda Crew (“Crazy Kind of Love”), Brian Geraghty (“Boardwalk Empire”), Seth Green (“Dads”), Ashley Judd (“Olympus Has Fallen”), Joe Pantoliano (“The Matrix”) and Ray Liotta(“GoodFellas”). THE IDENTICAL was written by Howard Klausner, who also produced alongside Matt Russell, Joe McDougall, Coke Sams and Clio Tegel. Vision Films represents the film both internationally and domestically, and will have a special screening Friday, November 8th at the Ocean Screening Room in Santa Monica at 3:00pm.
Identical twin brothers (both played by Blake Rayne) are separated at birth during the Great Depression. Their parents (Brian Geraghty, Amanda Crew) just cannot afford to give them both a life beyond poverty, so one is adopted by loving family. Despite their very different upbringings, the boys' shared passion for music causes their lives to unknowingly intersect as they experience a powerful and mysterious connection often felt by twins. One of the boys becomes the most famous rock 'n roll legend in the world, Drexel Hemsley, while Ryan Wade struggles to find balance between his love for music and trying to please his evangelist father (Ray Liotta) and his devoted mother (Ashley Judd) who have very different plans for his life in the ministry. Ryan is encouraged by his wife Jenny (Erin Cottrell) and lifelong friends Dino and Avi (Seth Green, Joe Pantoliano) to follow his musical dreams. A timeless tale of love, hope, and redemption, it’s a captivating journey about the restoration and the reconciliation of a family broken apart by culture, creed and tradition.
The film features over 20 original songs in three volumes from the 50s, 60s and 70s with the soundtrack written and produced by Jerry Marcellino (producer of Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Supremes, Lionel Richie) and Yochanan Marcellino. With Jerry, Yochanan, Dustin and Jordan Marcellino, the film involved three generations of veterans of the entertainment industry. CEO Lise Romanoff said, “The Identical is the complete package. Ray Liotta delivers one of the finest performances I have ever seen and Blake Rayne's voice is on par with the legends of the era.”
"The Identical is a family film for the ages. The uplifting story and music will warm your heart," said Yochanan Marcellino.
And here's the presser for Miller in Mississippi Grind:
SIENNA MILLER JOINS RYAN FLECK & ANNA BODEN’S MISSISSIPPI GRIND
NEW YORK (November 6, 2013) – Sienna Miller to join Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn in Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden’s new feature MISSISSIPPI GRIND. Production is set to begin January 2014 in New Orleans. Jamie Patricof & Lynette Howell of Electric City Entertainment are producing along with Tom Rice and Ben Nearn of Sycamore Entertainment. Sycamore, having just sold CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE and financed THE WAY, WAY BACK, is fully financing the picture. Panorama has already had brisk sales leading up to AFM, and expects continued enthusiasm from the international buyers.
Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, a man teams up with a younger charismatic poker player in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what has been lost.
Electric City is coming off the release of THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES and production on BIG EYES with Tim Burton. Jeremy Kipp Walker, John Lesher, Randall Emmett, and George Furla are attached as Executive Producers. WME Global packaged the film and is handling the domestic sale. Sienna Miller is repped by United Agents in London, The Schiff Company, and WME.