“The Walking Dead” actor Tom Payne and Broadway veteran Betty Buckley have joined the cast of Blumhouse‘s next movie “Imaginary,” a horror-thriller led by DeWanda Wise.
Taegen Burns (“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”), Pyper Braun (“Desperation Road”), Matthew Sato (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”) and Veronica Falcón (“Jungle Cruise”) will round out the cast.
Lionsgate is releasing the film on March 8, 2024. It wrapped production before the writers’ and actors’ strikes — so it will arrive in theaters as planned, unlike several projects that were forced to pause for months on end.
“Imaginary” was directed by Jeff Wadlow from a script he co-wrote with Greg Erb and JasonOremland. The story centers on Jessica (Wise), who moves back into her childhood home with her family. When her stepdaughter Alice (Braun) develops a concerning attachment to the stuffed bear, Chauncey, she finds in the basement, Jessica becomes concerned with the young girl’s behavior. Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.
Lionsgate and Blumhouse recently released a creepy, innovative in-theaters-only teaser for “Imaginary,” which asks viewers to keep their eyes shut. The film’s official trailer will debut in the coming days.
Payne, best known for “The Walking Dead” and “Prodigal Son,” will next star in director Kevin Costner’s two-part epic“Horizon: An American Saga.” He is represented by UTA, Curtis Brown Group, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan.
Burnspreviously led the cast of “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” and will soon appear in “Blue Ridge,” opposite Jonathan Schaech. She is represented by A3 Artists Agency and LBI Entertainment.
Braun was recently in the film “Desperation Road”and currently appears on the television series “Erin & Aaron.” Shevoices the lead and several othercharacters in the animated show “Superkitties.” Pyper is represented by CESD, Dream Talent Management, and Meyer & Downs.
Sato’s credits include “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” and “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” He is set to star in the feature“Patsy Lee & the Keepers of the 5 Kingdoms.” He is represented by Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa Talent Agency (AEFH) and Luber Rocklin Entertainment.
Falcón acted opposite Dwayne Johnson and Emily Bluntin Disney’s“Jungle Cruise”and alongside Matthew Rhys in the HBO series“Perry Mason”Her other credits include Netflix’s “Ozark” and the upcoming films include“American Underdog,”opposite Danny Trejo. She is represented by Independent Artist Group and Art2perform.
Buckley is the Tony-winning star of Broadway shows like “Cats,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Triumph of Love” and “1776.” She is represented by Donald Birge at Stewart Talent, attorney Jay L. Cooper and Rick Miramontez at DKCO&M PR.
