The cast of Blumhouse’s big screen adaptation of ‘Fantasy Island’ is rapidly filling in. It was just announced that Michael Peña (‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’, ‘Extinction’) will headline in the role of Mr. Roarke, the island host played by Ricardo Montalban in the original ABC TV series. Now he will be joined by ‘Crazy Rich Asians” Jimmy O. Yang, who plays Brax, one of the visitors who shells out big bucks in order to live out his greatest desire.
In September, casting descriptions were released for the various visitors to ‘Fantasy Island’ including this one:
- JD is described as a bit of a cut-up who is still living out the glory days of his 20s well into his 30s. His humor and charm help make him the idol of his adopted younger brother Brax, who JD has brought to Fantasy Island to give him the greatest weekend of his life which might also be his last. Though not as cool as his brother JD, Brax has a refreshing sweetness. He has joined his older brother JD on the Island, is thrilled when granted a fantasy of “having it all,” but is terrified to discover that might mean having to fight for it.
It appears that JD and Brax will “have it all,” only to discover that when you have it all, that means that others will want what you have.
‘Fantasy Island’ will be directed by Jeff Wadlow, who previously directed Blumhouse’s horror movie ‘Truth or Dare’, which he also executive produced. He has penned the script with Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs.
The original ‘Fantasy Island’ was a weekly TV series that aired on ABC from 1977 until 1984 and was famous for featuring celebrity guest stars every week, playing visitors to the island.
In addition to ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, Yang was also recently seen in two Melissa McCarthy movies, ‘The Happytime Murders’ and ‘Life of the Party’. He also stars on HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley’ as Jian-Yang, and released the book ‘How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents’.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
