Justin Long has joined the cast of the upcoming gymnastics drama Nasty, joining lead actors Jenna Ortega and Rose Byrne under the direction of filmmaker Mary Bronstein, according to reports from The Playlist. The production is scheduled to begin filming in New Orleans in mid-November.
Production and Plot Dynamics in New Orleans
The project follows a prodigious young athlete, played by Ortega, who is fiercely vying for a spot on the Olympic gymnastics team. According to coverage from The Hollywood Reporter, the character’s primary obstacle is her coach, portrayed by Byrne, who adopts a maternal yet manipulative and exploitative persona. Justin Long joins the ensemble as Byrne’s brother and the team’s co-coach. While Long’s character proves popular with the gymnasts, he harbors a hidden, manipulative dark side.
The screenplay for Nasty was written by Isabella Jarosz and earned a spot on the 2024 Black List. Industry observers have frequently characterized the script’s tone and setting as “Black Swan in the world of competitive gymnastics,” according to The Hollywood Reporter and The Playlist. The film is being produced for Warner Bros.’ specialty label, Clockwork, alongside LuckyChap producers Tom Ackerley, Bronte Payne, and Morgan Begg, with Ortega also serving as a producer.
Reunions and Release Timelines
The upcoming feature serves as a reunion for director Mary Bronstein and Rose Byrne. The actress previously starred in Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a performance that earned Byrne a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, as reported by The Playlist. The film is expected to wrap production in time for a potential festival debut, with The Playlist pointing toward a likely Sundance 2028 premiere, while other projects from the cast fill immediate release windows.
Justin Long Joins Jenna Ortega, Rose Byrne in Drama 'Nasty' (Exclusive) https://t.co/k6uq9DUkMX
Justin Long enters Nasty amid a busy professional slate. His upcoming appearances include the Amazon MGM romantic comedy You Deserve Each Other, which arrives in January alongside co-stars Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter. Long’s recent cinematic resume also features a breakout turn in Zach Cregger’s horror hit Barbarian and a cameo appearance in Cregger’s subsequent film Weapons.
Cast and Crew Details
- Jenna Ortega: Portrays the prodigious upstart athlete vying for an Olympic team spot and serves as a producer.
- Rose Byrne: Plays the maternal, manipulative, and exploitative head coach.
- Justin Long: Plays the co-coach and brother to Byrne’s character, possessing a hidden dark side.
- Mary Bronstein: Directs the feature following her acclaimed work on If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
- Isabella Jarosz: Wrote the screenplay, which featured on the 2024 Black List.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nasty
When and where does filming for Nasty begin?
Production on the drama is scheduled to start in mid-November in New Orleans, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and The Playlist.
Who wrote the screenplay for the gymnastics drama?
The script was written by Isabella Jarosz and previously landed on the 2024 Black List, as noted by industry tracking sources.
Which studio label is backing the film?
The film is being produced for Warner Bros.’ specialty label, Clockwork, alongside production banner LuckyChap.
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