Filming has now wrapped.
Based on true events, the upcoming major feature film “Empire State” is auditioning actors in Los Angeles and New York for starring and supporting roles. Shooting will take place in New York City, and New Orleans where additional casting for smaller speaking roles and extras will take place. The three starring roles cast so far have been filled by The Hunger Games’ Liam Hemsworth, Young Artist Award winner and six-time Teen Choice Award nominee Emma Roberts, and Teen Choice Award winner Dwayne Johnson. This is a film that talent should submit to the casting directors, whether it be for a speaking role or extra work.
Sundance Film Festival Award winner Dito Montiel will direct “Empire State” from a screenplay written by Primetime Emmy Award winner Adam Mazer. Based on true events that took place in 1982, Mazer’s script centers on two Greek childhood friends – Chris Potamitis (Liam Hemsworth) and Eddie Argitakos (to be cast) – from Astoria, NY who plan to rob an armored car depository, with Dwayne Johnson playing NYPD detective James Ransone, who is looking to catch them. Emma Roberts will play a Greek waitress at the Neptune Diner named Nancy Michaelides who is a love interest for Liam Hemsworth’s character, and eventually marries him after he breaks up with his loud foul-mouthed hot-tempered wannabe model girlfriend Lisette. Dito Montiel has made final revisions to the script.
Randall Emmett and George Furla’s Emmett/Furla Films is financing “Empire State” and will produce with David Hoberman, David Manpearl, and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films. Chris Potamitis (who’s life the film is about) and Sandy Kyrkostas of 24pMedia are also producing. Barry Brooker, President of Grindstone Entertainment Group, will executive produce. Grindstone will also handle domestic distribution of the film. Rounding out the executive producing team is Emmett/Furla Films’ Martin Blencowe, Envision Entertainment’s Remington Chase and Stepan Martirosyan, Jeff Rice, Stan Wertlieb, and Ted Fox.
The casting directors are currently auditioning talent to play various Greek roles. The period is the early 1980’s in Astoria, New York. Greek mobster types late 20’s to mid 30’s. Also a hot female, Caucasian Italian-American or Latina “Guidette” type in her early 20’s. A busty Greek female, 18 to early 20’s to play 17 year old Liam Hemsworth’s younger sister. Male, Caucasian, 50s-60s Greek born. Females, Greek late 50’s. FBI Agent types, any ethnicity. These are all either starring, co-starring, or supporting roles.
Principal Actor Casting
See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.
Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.
Los Angeles:
Rich Delia
Barden/Schnee Casting
1513 6th Street
Suite 105
Santa Monica, CA 90401
New York:
Allison Estrin
Barden/Schnee Casting
150 West 28th Street
Suite 402
New York, NY 10001
Extras Casting
New York:
Karen E. Etcoff
Kee Casting
304 Park Avenue South
11th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Crew Members
New Orleans:
Experienced film crew members in the New Orleans area who wish to work on “Empire State” can submit a resume to the following:
This is for FILM CREW ONLY. NO ACTOR submissions to this email address will be considered.
Production Companies:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.
24P Media Group
9663 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 516
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Mandeville Films
500 S Buena Vista Street
Animation Bldg 2G
Burbank, CA 91521-1783
Emmett/Furla Films
8200 Wilshire Blvd
3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Envision Entertainment Corporation
8200 Wilshire Blvd.
3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Grindstone Entertainment Group
2700 Colorado Ave
Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Executive Producers:
Brandt Andersen
Martin Blencowe
Jeff Rice
Stan Wertlieb
Remington Chase
Barry Brooker
Ted Fox
Stepan Martirosyan
Producers:
Randall Emmett
George Furla
David Manpearl
Todd Lieberman
David Hoberman
Chris Potamitis
Sandy Kyrkostas
Director:
Dito Montiel
Starring:
Dwayne Johnson
Liam Hemsworth
Emma Roberts
Shenae Grimes
Chris Diamantopoulos
Gia Mantegna
Nikki Reed
Michael Angarano
Michael Rispoli
Jerry Ferrara
Story:
In this true story, set in the 1980s, Chris Potamitis (Liam Hemsworth), a Greek security guard at the low-rent, fly-by-night Empire State Armored Car Company, is strong-armed by his wildly impulsive pal, Eddie Argitakos, into robbing the place – whether Chris wants to or not. After a series of false starts and comical interruptions, Eddie’s rash robbery nets the duo the biggest haul in United States history. The FBI and then U.S. District Attorney think that the robbery was the result of a carefully orchestrated collaboration among New York’s ranking crime families. When it’s revealed that the cash was actually stolen by a goofy Greek dishwasher and his pal, the entire city is stunned.