All the Js! Before James Gunn returns to a galaxy not so far away (as it’s our own) with GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2, he has found time to script THE BELCO EXPERIMENT. The violent thriller sees a company by the name of Belco, seal its employees in and force them to kill one another. Like a workday version of BATTLE ROYALE.
Directed by Wolf Creek’s Greg McLean, THE BELCO EXPERIMENT has just cast John Gallagher Jr. in the lead. Gallagher Jr. is known for his work in the film SHORT TERM 12 and the hit show The Newsroom. Set in South America, the film is set to start rolling in Columbia in June.
Writing on Facebook, James Gunn gave some background to his relationship with Gallagher Jr.
[quote_box_center]A couple years ago John Gallagher Jr. auditioned for me for a role. You might know him from his fantastic work in the movie Short Term 12 or on the TV show The Newsroom. He didn’t get the role that day – he wasn’t right for the part – but when he walked out of the room I turned to the casting director and said, “That’s one of the best actors I’ve seen in my life, and perhaps the best audition I’ve ever seen.” I became determined to find a way to work with him.
Well, I’m proud to announce that day is today, as John will play Mike Pelk, one of the leads of our film The Belko Experiment. The script was written by me, it’s going to be directed by Greg McLean, and produced by myself and Peter Safran. I just came from a table read with John and a bunch of other talented actors, and I can’t wait to get started – which we’ll be doing in June in Bogota, Colombia! More cast and crew members to be announced soon![/quote_box_center]
The plot sounds simple and engaging, while it’s nice that Gunn hasn’t forgotten his lower budgeted and risqué origins.
