Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, the writer-director behind the upcoming dark veteran dramedy “My Dead Friend Zoe,” has added some notable names to his already impressive cast. Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, along with Gloria Reuben and Utkarsh Ambudkar, have joined the film, which explores the lives of military veterans and their struggles upon returning home. This trio will join previously announced stars Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Natalie Morales.
“My Dead Friend Zoe,” written by Hausmann-Stokes and A.J. Bermudez, is based on the short film “Merit x Zoe,” which Hausmann-Stokes co-wrote and directed last year. Drawing from his personal experience as a Bronze Star combat veteran, the film tells the story of a female veteran (Martin-Green) who develops a unique friendship with her witty and deceased best friend from the Army (Morales). When she is summoned to her estranged grandfather’s remote lake house (played by Harris), she is faced with a challenging task he refuses to accept.
The project boasts a strong lineup of producers, including Paul Scanlan and Terri Lubaroff from Legion M, Richard Silverman from ReCre8 Entertainment, Ray Maiello and Mike Field from Radiant Media Studios, and Robert Paschall Jr. Additionally, Legion M’s Jeff Annison, David Baxter, and Brandi Plants serve as executive producers, along with Jordan Dykstra, Chris Boshuizen, and Nancy and Joseph Masterson. The cast was assembled by Jamie Castro, and co-producers include Liz Manashil, Maury Sterling, Martin Masterson, Steve Rodosky, Rao Meka, and Chris Marvin.
Hausmann-Stokes expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to tell a veteran’s story and praised the involvement of Morgan Freeman, who is also a veteran (Air Force). He sees the addition of Gloria Reuben’s depth and versatility and Utkarsh Ambudkar’s vibrant energy and comedic talent as essential to creating a film that balances humor, heart, and gravity while making the military and veterans’ experiences accessible to a wider audience.
Legion M’s Co-Founder and CEO, Paul Scanlan, highlighted the caliber of the cast as a testament to the script’s quality and the profound engagement of the team with the story and its purpose. He emphasized that “My Dead Friend Zoe” resonates with everyone, appealing to both the Legion M community and the underserved veteran community who long for authentic and relatable narratives presented in a compelling way.