Ava Phillippe, Jessica Belkin, Katie Cassidy Cast In ‘The Call’

EXCLUSIVE: Frances Fisher (Titanic), Ava Phillippe (Ransom Canyon), Jessica Belkin (Elle), Kai Caster (Yellowstone), Jasper Polish (Animal Kingdom), and Cara Santana (The Neighborhood) have been cast to star in short film The Call, which is slated to start shooting today in Los Angeles. 

Supporting cast includes Lisa Vidal, Crayton Carozza, Kevin Kreider, and Arrow star Katie Cassidy (Arrow).

Directing is Paris Dylan (Bling Empire) with co-director Skye Peters (Three Deaths). Producing are Wild7Films (The Apprentice) led by Kyle Stefanski and Tony Lugo, in collaboration with philanthropist Nancy Davis, Alexandra Lasky and Isabella Rickel. Production partners also include ATI Studios. DP is Gabe Kimpson. Script comes from Jesse Lasky (Revenge). The wardrobe team includes celebrity stylist Jen Rade as lead costumer, Jamar Hart, and Clare Sofer.

The logline reads: “When a glamorous award show party spirals into overdose and betrayal, a single dose of Narcan can only save one life. As secrets unravel and guilt takes hold, a fractured family is forced to confront what, and who, led them here, and a mother is faced with a harsh reality.”

The producers describe the projects as “a fever dream of Hollywood parties and fractured relationships, where glamour collides with tragedy, warm candlelight and golden opulence shape a world that’s as seductive as it is dangerous, grounded by raw, naturalistic moments that reveal the cost of denial.”

Executive producers include Nancy Davis, who conceptualized the project, alongside Brenda Richie, Melissa Zickler, Mellisa and Ron Silverman, Alexandra Lasky, Isabella Rickel, Courteney Semel, Eloise DeJoria, Laura Geller and Elizabeth Peterson.

All funds generated from the film are set to benefit the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Cure Addiction Now. Initially hitting as a short, the producers are understood to be weighing up scope for a feature based on the story.

The project marks a second short for Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Rhillippe. The actress is making her feature debut in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, which is in post-production, and previously appeared in one episode of hit Netflix series Ransom Canyon.

Fisher said today: “Getting ‘The call‘ is a mother’s biggest fear. Our EP Nancy Davis lived it. So when she approached me to play the role of the mother in this film, I immediately said yes. This is an important story to illustrate to parents and kids. Drug use and addiction is destroying families and if our film can save lives, our mission is accomplished. It is so smart to do a film with this message in mind.”

Davis said: “The Call is a very important film with a big message. It’s so important to finally define addiction as a real disease and stop shaming people who have this disease and start having empathy when people are suffering with something we have no cure for. The film portrays a glamorous night out in Hollywood with each type of character that exists portrayed to get a real snapshot of this deadly disease, which is the leading killer of people under 45 years old in the US. This also shows how addiction is truly a family disease and how impacted everyone is with the addict they love and how this addiction constantly destroys everyone’s life who loves the addict. It also shows the importance of everyone having Narcan and knowing how to use it.”

Lasky commented: “This will be a breakout leading role for Ava Phillippe, taking on a very in depth character plot. We are so excited for what she will bring to the dramatic role of Scarlet and for everyone to see her showcase new range as an actress. Her pairing with Jessica Belkin, who recently won the world over as Madison in the Apple TV hit streaming series “Elle” is a perfect chemistry match to showcase the dynamic of the two leading sisters, and of course the legendary Frances Fisher as their mother. Jessica will without a doubt be bringing that same on-screen allure to the role of Chloe in this film. The entire cast is absolutely phenomenal and we are so excited to begin shooting.” 

Ava Phillippe is repped by LBI, Mike Roberts and CAA. Jessica Belkin is repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Frances Fisher is with Greene Talent.