Acclaimed actor Giancarlo Esposito is set to star in “The Prince,” a new feature drama directed by Cameron Van Hoy. The film, penned by Pulitzer Prize winner and Oscar nominee David Mamet, also stars Scott Haze, Nicolas Cage, J.K. Simmons, and Andy Garcia.
“The Prince” delves into the tumultuous journey of an addict navigating the perilous world of power, pleasure, and pain, ultimately seeking redemption and recovery.
According to Deadline, “While unconfirmed, we’re told by multiple sources close to the project that the lead character Parker, played by Haze, is inspired at least in part by Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, whose abuse of drugs and alcohol is well documented — including in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things — and who was found guilty Tuesday in Delaware of three felony counts related to the purchase of a gun in 2018.”
Director Cameron Van Hoy expressed his excitement about collaborating with Mamet and the talented cast. “It’s amazing to work with David Mamet on this wildly original screenplay,” Van Hoy stated. “Collaborating with him, Academy Award winners Nicolas Cage and J.K. Simmons, along with Giancarlo Esposito, Andy Garcia, and my dear friend and collaborator Scott Haze, is a dream.”
Esposito, currently leading AMC’s acclaimed crime drama “Parish” and set to join Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” will also appear in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” and Ti West’s “MaXXXine.” His involvement in “The Prince” adds another role to his impressive repertoire.
Scott Haze, recognized for his roles in “Old Henry” and “Minari,” leads the cast as Parker. His upcoming projects include Kevin Costner’s Civil War epic “Horizon: An American Saga.” Nicolas Cage, who recently appeared at Cannes with “The Surfer,” will next be seen in Osgood Perkins’ horror thriller “Longlegs.”
J.K. Simmons, who has recently appeared in “National Champions” and “Being the Ricardos,” is set to feature in Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2” and Amazon’s sequel to “The Accountant.” Andy Garcia, seen in “Father of the Bride” and “The Expendables 4,” will star in Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series “Landman” and the heist thriller “Eenie Meanie.”
Produced by Sean Wolfington, Haze, Van Hoy, Jo Henriquez, and Lije Sarki, with executive producers John Devaney, CJ Kirvan, and Jose Luiz Zapata, “The Prince” adds to Mamet’s extensive body of work. Production on “The Prince” is currently underway, with a release date yet to be announced.