J Balvin to Make Film Debut Alongside Sean Astin, Stephen Amell in Drug Drama ‘Little Lorraine’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the globe to indulge in the rich tapestry of cinematic storytelling, I must say that the upcoming film “Little Lorraine” has piqued my interest immensely. The fusion of music and drama, with Latin superstar J Balvin making his big-screen debut alongside the talented Stephen Amell and Sean Astin, promises an exhilarating ride.


The Canadian production company, Wango Films, has wrapped up shooting for their forthcoming movie titled “Little Lorraine”. This film will be the cinematic introduction for the renowned Latin musician, J Balvin, often referred to as the “King of Reggaeton”.

The film, which was filmed in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Ontario, features Stephen Amell (known for “Arrow” and “Code 8”) as well as Sean Astin (renowned from “The Lord of the Rings” and “Stranger Things”).

Under the guidance of Grammy-nominated director Andy Hines, this film is inspired by real-life occurrences from the late 1980s. It portrays the dramatic change of a secluded mining and fishing community into a thriving center for a significant cocaine trafficking ring. The ensemble features Stephen McHattie, Auden Thornton, Matt Walsh, Rhys Darby, Josh Close, Steve Lund, and Sugar Lyn Beard.

Amin embodies a laid-off coal miner who finds employment on a ship transporting lobsters, but it’s discovered that this vessel is also used for drug trafficking. Valdez portrays an agent from Interpol looking into a Colombian drug cartel rumored to be sneaking their goods into the U.S. via Cape Breton, Canada.

The renowned artist from Latin music, whose latest album titled “Rayo” dropped this month, hinted at his upcoming acting debut in an interview with EbMaster last week. He mentioned, “I’ve begun to explore acting seriously, and I recently finished filming a movie that will be released next year. I’m excited about this new aspect of my personality.”

The movie is made by Tim Doiron and James van der Woerd from Wango Films, as well as Mike Volpe from Topsail Entertainment. April Mullen and Nic Neary are the executive producers. Previous projects from Wango include “Simulant,” starring Simu Liu and Sam Worthington, and “Wander” with Aaron Eckhart and Tommy Lee Jones. Meanwhile, Topsail has worked on “Mr D” and “Trailer Park Boys.”

Tim Doiron, CEO of Wango Films, expressed: “Growing up on the rugged east coast of Canada has always fueled my desire to portray a story that authentically reflects the raw strength and untamed charm of this area and its inhabitants. ‘Little Lorraine’ is the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition to showcase this genuine, intense tale on the big screen.”

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with an array of talented musicians, from heavyweights like Kanye West and Missy Elliott to up-and-comers such as Luke Combs and Keith Urban. My work has garnered numerous accolades at the MTV Video Music Awards and five prestigious Cannes Lions, with a Gold win in 2018 for both commercials and music videos.

Director Hines expressed: “Stephen Amell’s knack for dramatic depth gave us an abundance of rich potential when he stepped into the lead role for this grand, real-life tale. Working with José [Balvin] has been a joy for many years, and our connection, both on and off camera, is something special. Having him as the main character in my film is a long-held dream, and I’m thrilled to see him breathe life into this character.”

As a captivated observer, I’d like to highlight that James van der Woerd, Wango Films’ COO, emphasized the universal appeal of the film titled ‘Little Lorraine’. The story unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Cape Breton, a region that lends an authentic richness and depth to the plot due to its distinctive cultural texture.

Wango Films is set to kick off sales for the upcoming autumn film festival, entrusting the Canadian distribution of “Uproar” (Photon Films’ production) to handle this task.

Amell is represented by UTA, Leverage Management and SOWD. Astin is represented by Stewart Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment and attorney Dave Feldman. Darby is represented by UTA, Artists First and Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich & Gellman. Walsh is represented by UTA, Artists First and Ginsburg, Daniels & Kallis. J Balvin is represented by Roc Nation, WME and Granderson Des Rochers.

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2024-08-23 12:48