Australian writer/director/producer Kyle Portbury is readying a historical musical-adventure fairytale set in New Orleans.
Due to begin shooting across Australia and Canada early next year, the yet-to-be-named feature follows a young protagonist navigating theft, belonging, and found family in fin-de-siècle America.
Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) is attached to play dual roles in the project, on which Australian Production House Louise Schultz is a producer, and Stuart Lowder is a VFX producer. Further cast and crew announcements are due soon.
Portbury, whose previous credits include directing and producing 2024 period drama The Hopeful and co-writing animated feature David, described the upcoming Australian-Canadian co-production as a family adventure that was a cross between Home Alone and The Goonies.
“I’ve always been drawn to stories of belonging, finding where you fit in the world when its not clear how its built for you,” he said.
“This film has that, a young hero navigating the chaos and beauty of turn-of-the-century New Orleans, getting in over their head, and finding family in the most unlikely places. It’s the kind of adventure I wanted to see as a kid and now want my kids to see.”
He added having Iwuji on board was a real statement of intent.
“[Iwuji] brings a gravity and energy to all of his performances, an actor who inhabits character like a second skin,” he said.
“We’re building something that feels classic; a big, warm, musical adventure, with real grit and heart. Chukwudi is someone I want on set for that adventure. Louise and I can’t wait to share more as the pieces come together.”
Schultze, a producer on the Sundance-selected documentary Never Get Busted, also a co-production, expected the global collaboration of the upcoming production to become increasingly common.
“A movie set in America, shot in Canada and Australia, with global talent, like Chukwudi Iwuji,” she said.
“We’ve got a number of projects like that underway. That’s good for Australian and global talent, and good for storytelling in Australia and abroad.”