On the heels of a historic Emmy nomination for his role in Season 1 of HBO’s The Last of Us, up-and-comer Keivonn Montreal Woodard has found his next project in Gagged, an indie action comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Todd William Schroeder, who also penned the script.
Others set for supporting roles include Daniel Kash (The Man from Toronto), Daniel Fathers (House of the Dragon) and Tony Nappo (Land of the Dead).
Gagged centers on an inner city as a serious international terrorism plot unfolds. Woodard plays 11-year Corey, who is Deaf, and communicates using “Post-It Notes.” When a secret coded disk with information about hidden terrorist sleeper cells falls into Corey’s hands, he befriends Henry, a homeless ex-Army Ranger who saves his life. The two end up on the run from National Security Forces, the Russian mob, and a group of clumsy street thugs and bikers led by a wannabe Mafia boss. Can they stay ahead of their pursuers, and will luck ever be on their side as these two street-smart heroes navigate this dangerous situation?
Schroeder will produce alongside Dave Feeney (The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, Shelved). Jonathan Oliveira Casting is casting the film, which will go into production in the first half of 2025.
Said Schroeder in a statement to Deadline, “Obviously the role of Corey is a hard one to cast. A young actor as a lead in a feature is a big opportunity. Luckily [Keivonn] came to my attention from watching “Last of Us” TV series.”
The filmmaker noted that the young actor “has great instincts and delivered big time on that show. We managed to get him the script and Keivonn, his Mother and his agent Elle thought it was a great script and perfect fit. He is going to have a very exciting career ahead of him.”
Continued Schroeder, “Kash, Nappo, and Fathers, each seasoned veterans with over 25 years in film and television, bring extensive experience, impeccable comic timing, and a knack for delving into complex character depths. Their enthusiasm for the “Gagged” script is a true honour.”
Making history last year, at just 10 years old, as the first Black Deaf actor to be nominated for an Emmy, Woodard also earned Independent Spirit Award and NAACP Image Award nominations for his Last of Us role as young Deaf apocalypse survivor Sam. The project marked his first major foray into film and television.
An actor and former stuntman who has appeared in over 100 films and TV series, Schroeder first made his foray into directing with the shorts Nowhere to Hide and Missing Piece.
Woodard is repped by manager Elle Potruch; Kash by Connekt Creative and Noble Caplan Abrams; Fathers by Roger Carey Associates and The Characters Talent Agency; Nappo by Noble Caplan Abrams; and Schroeder by AMI Artist Management and Hall Webber.
