Abigail Breslin, Laverne Cox, Larry Pine and Willa Fitzgerald have joined the cast of “Freak Show,” the film adaptation of James St. James’ bestseller of the same name.
Previously announced cast members include Alex Lawther, Bette Midler, AnnaSophia Robb, Ian Nelson and Lorraine Toussaint. Trudie Styler is directing the film, which began shooting this week in New York.
“Freak Show” follows Billy Bloom (Lawther), a cross-dressing teenager and new student at an ultra-conservative high school. He’s determined not to change his outlandish outfits or behavior, taking a stand for outcasts and underdogs everywhere by running for homecoming queen.
Breslin will be playing the role of Billy’s rival and Cox will star as a reporter. Pine will portray Billy’s father while Midler is Billy’s mother.
Producers are Styler, Charlotte Ubben and Maven Pictures’ Celine Rattray with Flower Films’ Chris Miller, Ember Truesdell along with Jeffrey Coulter and Bryan Rabin.
The book was nominated for the Lambda Literary Award in the LGBT children’s/young adult category and the Lambda Literary Award for gay men’s debut fiction.
