Terrence Howard (Empire), JB. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Rebecca De Mornay (Jessica Jones) have joined the cast of “Giving Thanks”, a coming-of-age comedy set in Inglewood, California that will go into production in June.
Directed by Leslie Small, Deadline writes that the story revolves around Marcus and Roddy, two best friends who work at a dead-end retail job and dream about jump-starting their dream of living on their own while seeking fame and fortune.
They come up with an ingenious plan to kidnap the pet iguana of football star Achilles Cooper for ransom, while also forcing the famous player to headline the birthday party of Marcus’s father.
Howard, the outlet adds, plays Calvin Turner, a hard-working father who wants to see his son, Marcus, take advantage of the opportunities life affords him. While Smoove will portray Marcus’s arch-nemesis Dexter, an ambitious hustler who manages the retail box store where he works. And De Mornay is set for the role of Aunt Theodora, an eccentric cabaret/performance artiste who tries her best to look out for Roddy, but knows a good opportunity when she sees it.
Set for release early 2024, Charles Maye and Michael NJ Wright penned the script from a story by Bill Freas. Brandwood Studios’ Stephanie Weier and Hunter De Vere developed the project with Charlton Jacques of Foresight Entertainment, with the trio to produce alongside 5120 Entertainment.
