UPDATED NOV 24: Rose Byrne, Krew Boylan, Bobby Cannavale and Daniel Webber will lead the ensemble cast of musical dramedy Seriously Red, written by Boylan and directed by Gracie Otto.
Currently shooting in the Northern Rivers, the film follows Red (Boylan), a vivacious and hilarious red-headed woman grappling with high expectations and low self-esteem.
Red trades her job in real estate to take up a new career as a Dolly Parton impersonator, and falls into a new world of tribute artists, including a romance with a Kenny Rogers impersonator.
The film will feature the Parton discography as well as a soundtrack of iconic musical artists and re-recordings.
The support cast includes Celeste Barber, Thomas Campbell, Jean Kittson, Wayne Blair, Todd Lasance, Sarah Su, Sophia Forrest, and Rarriwuy Hick. There will also be cameos by Tony Barry, Nell Campbell, Dustin Clare, Bangarra dancer Waanega Blanco, and Jack Thompson.
Seriously Red is the first feature under the Dollhouse Pictures banner, a collective founded by Byrne, Otto, Boylan, Shannon Murphy and Jessica Carrera. It has been on the slate since its launch in 2015. At one stage, Kate Woods was attached to direct.
Carrera produces with Robyn Kershaw for Robyn Kershaw Productions, while Byrne and Danny Nozell are the EPs.
Carrera and Kershaw said: “Dolly touches everyone. She is a woman of immense substance, talent and generosity. Seriously Red is a bold tribute to a woman who has paved the way for so many and we feel incredibly proud to be bringing a story of joy and acceptance at a time when we need it most.”
Roadshow Films will distribute in ANZ, while Arclight Films is handling to worldwide rights.
Roadshow Films CEO Joel Pearlman said: “We are delighted to be working with the team from The Dollhouse Pictures, alongside Robyn Kershaw to bring Seriously Red to Australian audiences in 2021. This is an incredibly exciting project bringing together an amazing cast, and a wonderful script from Krew Boylan. We are looking forward to working with Gracie Otto on her first feature and we think that this will be an amazing theatrical experience for audiences”.