Michael Vlamis Sets Thriller ‘Crossword’ As First Feature, Will Star Alongside Aurora Perrineau, Harvey Guillén & More; Kenan Thompson’s Artists For Artists Handling Financing, Sales
03.05.2022 - 21:19
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Roswell, New Mexico star Michael Vlamis is preparing to make his feature directorial debut with Crossword, a psychological thriller in which he’ll star alongside Aurora Perrineau (When They See Us), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Nick Thune (Love Life), Sarah Ramos (Winning Time), Karan Oberoi (Counterpart), Andoni Gracia (Warner. Bros’ upcoming The Flash) and Spencer Waldner (5 Years Apart).
The indie heading into production this spring centers on James (Vlamis) and Tessa (Perrineau), a young married couple coping with the loss of their daughter. While Tessa trudges forward focused on her bestselling children’s book series inspired by their daughter, James tries to find solace in the daily crossword. As the crossword takes on a mind of its own, the seams of the couple’s reality begin to unravel, revealing that death is more than a five-letter word.
Vlamis wrote the script with Kyle Anderson, after seeing their Mac Miller biopic Blue Slide Park make the 2019 Black List. Kenan Thompson and John Ryan Jr.’s recently launched production company Artists for Artists is acting as the studio on the feature—producing in-house, and handling financing and sales. Stephen Mastrocola, Liana Montemayor Rafi Jacobs and Vlamis will also produce, with Thompson, Ryan, Perrineau, Guillén, Alex Chi (Blue Bayou) and Vlamis’ Roswell co-star Michael Trevino serving as executive producers.
“I’m interested in exploring the guilt and grief that haunted me following a tragic accident I experienced a few years back,” said Vlamis. “If you don’t try to face your feelings, they’ll eventually consume you.”
Vlamis plays the alien drifter Michael Guerin on The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico, which returns for its fourth season on June 6.