Canadian company Wango Films has wrapped filming on its upcoming movie “Little Lauren,” which marks the big screen debut of best-selling Latin artist J Balvin, known as the “Prince of Reggaeton.”
The show is filmed in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Ontario, and also stars Stephen Amell (Arrow, Code 8) and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things).
Directed by Grammy-nominated Andy Hines, the film is inspired by true events that took place in the late 1980s and depicts the transformation of a remote mining and fishing town into the center of a major cocaine smuggling operation. The cast also includes Stephen McHattie, Auden Thornton, Matt Walsh, Rhys Darby, Josh Close, Steve Lund, and Sugar Lynn Bird.
Amell plays an unemployed coal miner who lands a job on a lobster fishing boat involved in drug smuggling. Balvin plays an Interpol agent investigating a Colombian drug importing ring suspected of bringing drugs into America via Cape Breton.
The Latin star, who released his new album 'Rayo' earlier this month, hinted that he would be embarking on an acting career in an interview with diverse Last week, he said, “I've started acting — like real acting, not just bit parts — and I just finished filming a movie that I'm going to be in that's coming out next year. I love that side of myself.”
The film is produced by Tim Doiron and James Van Der Woerde of Wango Films, and Mike Volpe of Topsail Entertainment. April Mullen and Nick Neary serve as executive producers. Wango's recent productions include the sci-fi films “Simulant” and “Wander” starring Aaron Eckhart and Tommy Lee Jones, while Topsail's credits include “Mr D” and “Trailer Park Boys.”
“Growing up on the rugged East Coast of Canada, I have always been keen to tell a story that truly captures the raw power and untamed beauty of this region and its people,” said Tim Doiron, CEO of Wango Films. “‘Little Lorraine’ is the fulfillment of a long-standing dream to bring this intensely authentic story to the big screen.”
Hines has worked with musicians from Kanye West and Missy Elliott to Luke Combs and Keith Urban, and his work has won multiple MTV VMAs and five Cannes Lions, including the 2018 Gold Award for both commercials and music videos.
“Stephen Amell’s dramatic flair brought us a wealth of depth and potential when he took on the lead role in this larger-than-life true story,” said Haynes. “José [Balvin] “I have worked with him for years, and we have a great understanding in front of and behind the camera. Having him star in my film is a dream come true, and I can’t wait for the audience to see him in this character.”
“Little Lauren is a film with global resonance, set within the unique cultural fabric of Cape Breton,” added James van der Woerde, COO of Wango Films. “The distinct character of the region adds authentic depth to the narrative.”
Wangu Films plans to launch its sales for the fall festival season, with Photon Films (Uproar) handling the Canadian release.
Amell is represented by UTA, Leverage Management and SOWD. Stewart Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment and attorney Dave Feldman are represented by Astin. UTA, Artists First and Yorn Levine are represented by Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich & Gellman and Darby. UTA, Artists First and Ginsburg, Daniels & Kallis are represented by Walsh. Roc Nation, WME and Granderson Des Rochers are represented by J Balvin.
