Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“The Walking Dead”, Watchmen) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (“The Haunting of Bly Manor,” upcoming Pinocchio) are set to star in the new horror thriller, Felix. Third time feature director John Kissack (Everfall) will helm this – his second horror pic – from a script by Casey Giltner, with principal photography set to start this Spring.
Ainsworth will play Charlie, who, along with his best friend Jimmy, are making a movie with dreams of becoming Hollywood directors. When Charlie’s dad (Morgan) finds an old ventriloquist doll named Felix among his late mother’s belongings, Charlie and Jimmy immediately cast Felix as the creepy antagonist in their movie. Through a chain of increasingly sinister and disturbing events, the family discovers that Felix has a mind of his own and it’s up to Charlie and Jimmy to rid their family of this ominous force they’ve awoken.
Joe Carnahan (Copshop, Boss Level, Stretch, The Grey) is producing alongside Jayson Therrien (FX’s “Fargo,” Netflix’s “Black Summer”) and Kissack. Highland Film Group is representing worldwide rights, with sales underway.
“We could not be more thrilled to reteam with Joe Carnahan after the success of Hulu’s Boss Level starring Mel Gibson and Frank Grillo. We are so excited to have the incredibly talented Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth join our Felix family and bring these roles to life,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.
“This Super 8 meets Child’s Play thriller is a nail-biting and suspenseful horror film. We cannot wait to see cameras roll on this totally awesome project,” added Highland COO Delphine Perrier.
Morgan is additionally known for his role as Negan in AMC’s Emmy-winning series “The Walking Dead”, and will continue his character in the new spinoff series “Isle of the Dead” with fellow TWD co-star Lauren Cohan. His film credits also include Heist, Rampage and The Losers, TV dramas “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Good Wife.”
Ainsworth broke out as Miles Wingrave in Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and held his own in Disney’s Flora & Ulysses. He also appeared in new Lionsgate series “Son of a Critch”, and will next appear in David S. Goyer’s epic “Sandman” adaptation for Netflix, as well as in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Pinocchio.
Morgan is represented by UTA, attorney Stuart Rosenthal of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher and Viewpoint. Ainsworth is represented by Alan Siegel Entertainment, ICM Partners, Mark Jermin Management and Paul Hastings.
Highland Film Group’s current sales slate of films also includes Daniel Casey’s Wardriver, Rusty Cundieff’s 57 Seconds, John Stalberg Jr.’s Muzzle, One True Loves starring Simu Liu, Phillipa Soo and Luke Bracey, Adrian Grünberg’s The Black Demon, James Cullen Bressack’s Hot Seat, K. Asher Levin’s Slayers, Renny Harlin’s The Misfits, Allan Ungar’s Bandit, Stephan Rick’s The Good Neighbor and Avan Jogia’s Door Mouse.