Neon, a leading American film production and distribution company, has announced that its upcoming film, The Actor, directed by the Oscar-nominated Duke Johnson, has completed its production phase. The movie features André Holland and Gemma Chan in lead roles and is based on the bestselling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake.
The plot revolves around Paul Cole, played by Holland, who is an actor suffering from memory loss after a vicious attack. He finds himself stranded in 1950s Ohio while trying to reclaim his life in New York. The film promises to be a gripping tale of perseverance and redemption, set against the backdrop of mid-20th century America.
Joining the cast are Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney, and Joe Cole. André Holland replaces Ryan Gosling as the male lead, although Gosling is still onboard as an executive producer. The movie is produced under the Innerlight Films banner, with Johnson and Abigail Spencer as producers, along with Paul Young and Ken Kao, who have previously worked with Gosling on other projects.
André Holland is a rising star in the film industry, with notable performances in Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All, and Rebecca Hall’s Passing for Netflix. Gemma Chan, who stars alongside him, has appeared in major films such as Eternals and Crazy Rich Asians, and is currently developing a feature about the legendary Hollywood actress Anna May Wong.
The Actor is the latest in-house production by Neon, following the recent sci-fi horror Infinity Pool and the horror title It Lives Inside. Neon has quickly become known for producing innovative and thought-provoking movies, and The Actor promises to be another hit in their ever-expanding catalogue.