Emile Hirsch, Justin Long and Kevin Connolly Teaming for Parasite Horror ‘Lice,’ Highland Film Group Selling in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)

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A horrifying infestation of lice is poised to strike Long Island, with the event being portrayed as a chilling blend of “The Breakfast Club” and “Lord of the Flies” in an upcoming storyline.

Titled “Lice,” the upcoming feature is Kevin Connolly’s and Patrick Marino’s debut production from ActionPark Productions. This horror-comedy, set to star Emile Hirsch (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Into the Wild”), Justin Long (“Barbarian,” “Goosebumps”), and Connolly himself, is slated to take audiences on a trip down memory lane with its ’80s high school vibe. Production for this gruesome homage to ’80s classics commences this week in Canada.

Highland Film Group is repping international rights, handling sales at the Marché du Film.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into the director’s chair for my first feature film, a project penned by Anthony Musella and Shaun Harris (“The Hemingway Thief”). This innovative concept originally sprung from the mind of Connolly. The production team behind this project includes Connolly, Jeremy Alter, and Gary Goldman – a trio that recently worked together on Doug Ellin’s “Ramble On,” which featured Charlie Sheen, Connolly, and Kevin Dillon.

In the 1980s, a deadly lice infestation struck a high school on Long Island. As the school was placed under military quarantine, students driven mad by their uncontrollable itching began attacking each other in a frantic bid to stay alive. The film stars Hirsch as Mr. Shanker, a disillusioned science teacher who rediscovers his passion while investigating the bloodthirsty mites. Principal Van, portrayed by Long, is a man struggling to keep up and eventually losing his sanity. Connolly plays Detective Sikorski, a determined cop working against time to contain the infestation before it overtakes the entire town from outside its walls.

Connolly expressed his desire to create movies reminiscent of those he cherished in his childhood. Being a fan of horror, he aimed to produce content that would resonate with others like him – entertaining, strange, terrifying, and utterly unforeseeable. It seemed fitting to kick off our feature division with such a daring and ambitious project. Jonathan Bensimon is one of those unique individuals who possesses both a fertile imagination and exceptional technical skills. Moreover, when you have two talented actors like Emile and Justin, capable of seamlessly blending comedy and drama, you’re dealing with something truly extraordinary.

Bensimon remarked: “Kevin Connolly gave me an engaging script, and together with Shaun Harris, we transformed it into a gripping horror film full of pulp. The cast skillfully balances darkness and humor, resulting in something truly distinctive. I’m thrilled about our collaboration with Kodak and Cinestill, as we aim to develop visuals that will give ‘Lice’ a unique style.

Producer Alter remarked, “Lice is trendy, eye-catching, and laughably unsettling – exactly the kind of project I adore.” Fellow producer Gary Goldman concurred, “Kevin and I have been eager to collaborate on a film like this since Entourage. It’s such an intriguing idea and it taps into a deep-seated fear that many parents share.

Hirsch is managed by Stride Management and United Talent Agency (UTA), while Long is represented by the Independent Artist Group and the team consisting of Yorn, Levine, and Barnes.

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2025-05-16 17:18