Mickey Rourke, Mekhi Phifer and Udo Kier are teaming to lead “Mascots,” an independent thriller beginning production in Southern California in the fall.
Written and directed by Kerry Mondragon, the desert-set 1990s period piece follows two brothers (Oliver Hibbs Wyman and Blaine Kern III) who, with the help of some costumes, have escaped a lifetime of captivity under Rourke’s character.
More from Variety
‘High Potential’ Season 2 Casts Mekhi Phifer (EXCLUSIVE)
Mickey Rourke Says He’s ‘Ashamed’ After ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ Exit: ‘I Lost My Temper’ and ‘I’m Very Sorry’
Mickey Rourke Leaves ‘Celebrity Big Brother U.K.’ Following ‘Further Use of Inappropriate Language’ and ‘Unacceptable Behavior’
Details on Phifer and Kier’s characters remain under wraps. Other actors attached include Felicia “Snoop” Pearson and Til Schweiger.
Calling the film “deeply personal” in a statement, Mondragon added that “Mascots” “reflects the ripple effects of toxic masculinity, mental illness and generational abuse that give birth to chosen identities and the raw, weird beauty of survival. I want to capture the dissonance of seeing the world for the first time through unfiltered eyes.”
Executive producers on “Mascots” include Kimberly Hines for Luminary Partners, Peter Gold for Gold Films, as well as Collin Druz, Ben Lewin and Bryan Anderson. Salome Breziner is a producer for Castleland LLC.
Mondragon’s most recent feature “Wetiko,” about a Mayan teenager who enters a dangerous drug-dealing life handling hallucinogenic toads, was acquired by New York-based distributor Dekanalog in April. The banner has set a limited theatrical run for November in Alamo Drafthouse locations, with a subsequent video on-demand and physical media release to come.
Rourke and Schweiger are repped by Luminary Partners. Kier is with RAS Management and Phifer is with Gersh. Wyman is repped by Stride Management. Kern is repped by the Alexander Gordon White Agency. Pearson is with Ethos Entertainment.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
‘Harry Potter’ TV Show Cast Guide: Who’s Who in Hogwarts?
Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety – New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
