‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Star Tony Cavalero Joins Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson in 1984 Olympics-Set Thriller ‘Lips Like Sugar’ (EXCLUSIVE)
“The Righteous Gemstones” star Tony Cavalero has joined the cast of “Lips Like Sugar,” a crime thriller set during the 1984 summer Olympics Games in Los Angeles, starring Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson.
Cavalero is best known for his breakout performance as Keefe, the lovable ex-Satanist turned fan-favorite mullet man, in Danny McBride’s cult hit HBO series. “The Righteous Gemstones” was renewed for a fourth season last July.
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With “Lips Like Sugar,” Cavalero joins a buzzy ensemble which also includes Oscar nominee Juliette Lewis, Sasha Calle, Kathryn Newton and Erin Moriarty. Harrelson and Wilson star as detectives John Carr and Phil Harris, a pair of homicide cops working to solve a possible serial killer case while police and city officials demand that all murders in L.A. be labeled “missing persons” for the duration of the games.
According to the film’s official synopsis, the plot kicks up when the detectives’ paths cross with Tracy Anderson and Andi Campos (Newton and Calle), who are described as “a pair of teenage girls that have formed a fast and intense friendship, with Montana transplant Tracy recently arrived in town with her mother (Lewis) and enamored of all things Hollywood. When Tracy disappears, Carr, Harris and Andi race a ticking clock to find her.”
Directed by Grammy-winning music video helmer Brantley Gutierrez from a script by Anthony Tambakis (“Warrior,” “Gringo”), the film is produced by Thomas Fanning, Kevin Chinoy, Francesca Silvestri, Jeremy Plager, Kyle Schember, Zac Reeder and Tea Shop Productions. L.A. Studio Group and BondIt Media Capital are financing the project with Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, and Tyler Gould serving as executive producers. Academy Award nominee Will Butler (of Arcade Fire fame) is set to compose the score.
XYZ Films and Interstellar Sales Agency are co-repping sales for the film, which is set to begin production next month.
In addition to “Lips Like Sugar,” Cavalero recently made his SXSW debut with the feature “Cold Wallet,” a crypto heist thriller starring Raúl Castillo and Melonie Diaz and directed by Cutter Hodierne. He also stars alongside Simon Rex in the upcoming feature “Operation Taco Garys.” Cavalero’s resume also includes TBS’ “Miracle Workers,” Netflix’s “The Dirt,” where he portrayed Ozzy Osbourne, Hulu’s “We Broke Up” and ABC’s “The Conners.” He also spent a decade as a member of the Groundlings Theater main company.
Cavalero is represented by Gersh, Nicole Garcia Management and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark.
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