Production has commenced on Stubborn Beast by Scout Tafoya and Tucker Johnson.

      We are excited to share that *Stubborn Beast*, a new project overseen by film critics and video essayists Scout Tafoya and Tucker Johnson, will commence production this month in Savannah, GA. The film tells the story of a family of step-siblings and divorcees attempting to navigate a particularly challenging holiday without their matriarch. Filming is scheduled to begin on April 28 and conclude in mid-May.

      The cast includes Paul F. Tompkins (Lodge 49, Bojack Horseman), Meredith Salenger (Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, The Journey of Natty Gann), Sam Clifford (Apple TV+’s Cape Fear), Bill Corbett (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax), Lorelai Linklater (Boyhood, American Trash), and Autumn Noel, known for her roles in vertical dramas such as The Words and Baby Please! Don’t Come Home for Christmas.

      The narrative centers on a grad student, played by Clifford, who returns home for the holidays seeking a heartfelt conversation, only to discover that her mother is absent and her stepfather, Stephen (Tompkins), is alone. Together, they must confront their emotional challenges for the first time, without the grounding presence of a matriarch.

      The film is executive produced by Mark Pellington (The Mothman Prophecies, and the upcoming *This is Buzz* and *Lone Wolf*) and is produced by Tafoya and Johnson’s Honors Zombie Films, alongside Salenger, Tompkins, Sean U’Ren, Thomas Hedges, Ben Lebermann, and Ryan Harrison Warnberg. Following a successful crowdfunding initiative, the film is still in pursuit of financial partnerships and distribution.

      “This is the happiest moment of my life, and I’m also completely terrified,” Tafoya expressed. “Working with this cast is absolutely a dream come true. Tucker and I have listened to Paul F. Tompkins more than we've heard our own voices, and Meredith Salenger is one of the most underappreciated talents of her generation. Sam and Autumn are on the brink of stardom, and we get to be there as they launch. When you write books about Ford and Hooper like I have, you fantasize about making something on their level. But how often does that happen? I still can’t believe we get to create this.”

      Johnson remarked, “Scout has had many more encounters with film culture over the years, and our shared love for movies has made it easy to connect over the opportunity to finally create one at this level. We couldn’t feel more grateful to have a cast and crew that is generous enough to dedicate their time to us. We look forward to harnessing everyone’s talents to create something we can be genuinely proud of.”

      Johnson and Tafoya’s previous filmmaking includes *Eyam* and *Hang the Pale Bastard*, and they have also contributed essays such as *The End of History* on the influences of Ridley and Tony Scott. Tafoya has authored books on John Ford and Tobe Hooper and created the acclaimed series *The Unloved* at RogerEbert.com.

      Tompkins is represented by UTA, Salenger by Authentic Talent & Literary Management, Clifford by Privilege Talent, and Noel by Key.

      Photo of Meredith Salenger provided by Nick Holmes.