Joe Bird has been cast alongside Katherine Lagaia in Australian production company Deadhouse Films’ Gen Z satirical thriller film Crash Out. Production is scheduled to begin later this month.
Bird arrived at the project with considerable momentum. His latest film, Leviticus, a queer horror title that premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to strong critical acclaim, was acquired by Neon in a seven-figure deal and will be shown at SXSW this month. He previously starred in A24’s horror film “Talk to Me,” which grossed more than $90 million worldwide, and most recently starred in Warwick Thornton’s colonial western “Wolfram,” which was selected in competition at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Rounding out the ensemble is Evelyn Sims in a potential breakout role. LaGaia, who was previously announced by Variety to star in the film, is set to headline Disney’s upcoming live-action movie Moana.
Crashout, written and directed by Nick Annas and produced by Deadhouse Films’ Helen Tuck and Enzo Tedeschi, recently earned two AACTA nominations. The film will be executive produced by DeAnne Weir of Weir-Anderson Films and Bobby Lomia and Tiana Roberts of the newly formed Atypical Originals. The cast includes Stephanie Pringle and Alison Fowler of Chicken and Chips Casting.
Blue Finch Films is handling worldwide sales rights, excluding Australia and New Zealand. The UK-based sales company’s current schedule also includes Rotterdam title Bowels of Hell from Oscar-winning production company RT Features. SXSW selection “Imposters”. and the horror title “Dolly,” which was released in theaters through IFC earlier this month.
