EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Buffalo, NY, on the sequel to cult indie horror film Circle, which became something of a breakout hit a decade ago and was picked up by Netflix.
The 12 Angry Men-inspired low-budget project saw 50 strangers trapped in a room and forced to decide who would be the one survivor through a series of votes and debates about the worth of each human life.
Today, we can reveal the cast and director for the movie, with Dutch filmmaker Niels Bourgonje taking on directing duties. Bourgonje is best known for the horror short film, Swipe, which won more than 50 awards on the shorts circuit and is being developed into a feature.
Starring in the sequel will be Carmen Flood (Long Slow Exhale), Michael Nardelli (American Crime Story), Cameron Mann (Eddington), Luca Padovan (You), Maia Jae (Gen V), Corrado Martini (Collapser), Isaiah Dodo-Williams (Public Defenders), Laila Drew (Broadway’s Suffs), Scout Tayui-Lepore (The Studio), Sophia Tayui-Lepore (The Studio), and Mareau Hall (Babygirl).
The official logline reads: “18 years after being pawns in a cruel game of psychological warfare, the survivors of an invasion face a new threat.”
Michael Nardelli and Brent Stiefel (Tow), who were behind the original, have re-teamed to produce alongside executive producer’s Jeffrey Leaf (Bob Trevino Likes It), Tim Nardelli (Circle), and Justin Lothrop (Tow). Devon Graye (I See You) has written the film.
“Ten years ago, the original Circle encapsulated a growing sense of mistrust in society – a divide that has only grown stronger since. Circles will capture our current fears and translate them into a thrilling ride that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to bring this next chapter to life for a new generation of Circle viewers,” said director Niels Bourgonje.
Flood is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency; Nardelli by Eris Talent Agency and Actors Artist Management; Mann by Innovative Artists, Stride Management, and Jackoway Austen; Padovan by Innovative Artists and Schreck Rose; Jae by Paul Kohner, Inc., The Characters Talent Agency, Insight Entertainment and Lauren Levitt & Associates.
Martini is repped by United Talent; Dodo-Williams by Stewart Talent and Sager Management; Drew by Paradigm and Mara Entertainment; Scout Tayui-Lepore by DDO Artists Agency and Prime Talent Media; Sophia Tayui-Lepore by CESD and Prime Talent Media; Hall by Innovative Artists. Graye is repped by Alex Rincon at UTA and Range Media Partners; Leaf is repped by X6 Productions; Stiefel & Lothrop are repped by Jake Carter at UTA; Bourgonje is repped by Sukee Chew at Hopscotch Pictures and Hannah Mulderink at GGSSC.
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