EXCLUSIVE: On the heels of a historic Emmy nomination for his function in Season 1 of HBO’s The Final of Us, up-and-comer Keivonn Montreal Woodard has discovered his subsequent undertaking in Gagged, an indie motion comedy marking the characteristic directorial debut of Todd William Schroeder, who additionally penned the script.

Others set for supporting roles embrace Daniel Kash (The Man from Toronto), Daniel Fathers (Home of the Dragon) and Tony Nappo (Land of the Lifeless).

Gagged facilities on an internal metropolis as a severe worldwide terrorism plot unfolds. Woodard performs 11-year Corey, who’s Deaf, and communicates utilizing “Put up-It Notes.” When a secret coded disk with details about hidden terrorist sleeper cells falls into Corey’s palms, he befriends Henry, a homeless ex-Military Ranger who saves his life. The 2 find yourself on the run from Nationwide Safety Forces, the Russian mob, and a gaggle of clumsy avenue thugs and bikers led by a wannabe Mafia boss. Can they keep forward of their pursuers, and can luck ever be on their aspect as these two street-smart heroes navigate this harmful scenario?

Schroeder will produce alongside Dave Feeney (The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, Shelved). Jonathan Oliveira Casting is casting the movie, which is able to go into manufacturing within the first half of 2025.

Mentioned Schroeder in a press release to Deadline, “Clearly the function of Corey is a tough one to solid. A younger actor as a lead in a characteristic is a giant alternative. Fortunately [Keivonn] got here to my consideration from watching “Final of Us” TV collection.”

The filmmaker famous that the younger actor “has nice instincts and delivered large time on that present. We managed to get him the script and Keivonn, his Mom and his agent Elle thought it was an important script and excellent match. He’s going to have a really thrilling profession forward of him.”

Continued Schroeder, “Kash, Nappo, and Fathers, every seasoned veterans with over 25 years in movie and tv, deliver in depth expertise, impeccable comedian timing, and a knack for delving into complicated character depths. Their enthusiasm for the “Gagged” script is a real honour.”

Making historical past final 12 months, at simply 10 years outdated, as the primary Black Deaf actor to be nominated for an Emmy, Woodard additionally earned Impartial Spirit Award and NAACP Picture Award nominations for his Final of Us function as younger Deaf apocalypse survivor Sam. The undertaking marked his first main foray into movie and tv.

An actor and former stuntman who has appeared in over 100 movies and TV collection, Schroeder first made his foray into directing with the shorts Nowhere to Disguise and Lacking Piece.

Woodard is repped by supervisor Elle Potruch; Kash by Connekt Artistic and Noble Caplan Abrams; Fathers by Roger Carey Associates and The Characters Expertise Company; Nappo by Noble Caplan Abrams; and Schroeder by AMI Artist Administration and Corridor Webber.