Casting Call given for The Lost Warrior

Joshua International has announced a casting call for the historical feature film, The Lost Warrior, a project slated to begin filming in 2008. This ambitious cinematic undertaking, deeply rooted in meticulous research and historical accuracy, aims to transport audiences to the volatile landscape of Tennessee and North Carolina during the mid to late 1700s, a period marked by the burgeoning Cherokee removal.

The film, envisioned as the first installment of a sweeping trilogy, represents the culmination of an extensive eight-and-a-half-year study, promising a nuanced and immersive portrayal of this pivotal era. The narrative arc of the trilogy is designed to unfold chronologically, ultimately reaching its conclusion in 1842, offering a comprehensive exploration of the Cherokee experience during this tumultuous period of American history.

Commitment to Historical Authenticity

The producers of The Lost Warrior are demonstrating a profound commitment to preserving the integrity of historical events. Recognizing the sensitivity and significance of the subject matter, they are actively collaborating and consulting with representatives from the relevant Tribal Governments. This collaborative approach ensures that the film’s narrative is informed by authentic perspectives and reflects the cultural richness and complexity of the Cherokee people. The filming locations, primarily situated in North Carolina and Louisiana, have been carefully selected to mirror the authentic settings of the historical events depicted in the screenplay. This dedication to detail extends to all aspects of production, from costume design to set construction, all to create an environment that feels both genuine and respectful.

A Glimpse into the Narrative

For those familiar with Cherokee history, The Lost Warrior weaves its story around prominent figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the destiny of their people. The narrative will likely explore the lives and legacies of individuals such as Little Carpenter (also known as Attakullakulla), a shrewd diplomat who sought to navigate the treacherous waters of colonial expansion through negotiation; Old Tassel, a revered elder and advocate for peace; and Oconostota, a distinguished war chief known for his strategic brilliance and unwavering defense of Cherokee lands.

Furthermore, the film will likely feature Dragging Canoe, a visionary leader who fiercely resisted encroachment on Cherokee territory; Isaac Thomas, a trader and interpreter who straddled the cultural divide between the Cherokee and European settlers; and Nancy Ward, a powerful and influential woman recognized as a Beloved Woman of the Cherokee, known for her wisdom and advocacy for peaceful coexistence. These characters, brought to life on screen, will provide a window into the complex political, social, and personal struggles that defined this era.

Casting Call: Seeking Fresh Talent

The casting call for The Lost Warrior seeks to discover fresh faces capable of embodying the spirit and character of the individuals who lived during this formative period. The production is open to individuals aged 18 to 80, encouraging a diverse range of talent to participate in bringing this historical drama to life. Aspiring actors are invited to specify their areas of interest, whether it be character roles, stunt work, reenactment, or serving as extras, providing opportunities for individuals with varied skill sets and experience levels to contribute to the film’s authenticity.

Principal Casting Decisions

While the casting process is ongoing, several key roles have already been filled by talented actors. Dennis Ambriz has been cast as Oconostota, bringing his experience and presence to the role of the esteemed war chief. Moses Brings Plenty, known for his compelling portrayals of Native American characters, will embody the fiery spirit of Dragging Canoe. Cody Jones has been selected to play Jay-see, promising a fresh and dynamic interpretation of this character.

Detailed Character Descriptions: Speaking Roles

The casting call provides detailed descriptions of the speaking roles, offering insights into the physical characteristics, personality traits, and narrative significance of each character. Aspiring actors can use these descriptions to assess their suitability for particular roles and tailor their auditions accordingly. Here is a breakdown of the character descriptions:

• Isaac: A Cherokee male in his 20s, standing tall at 6’5" with a muscular build. This character appears in 43 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 2 and his last on page 115. He delivers 138 speeches, totaling 386 lines.

• Dragging Canoe (MOSES BRINGS PLENTY HAS BEEN CAST): A Cherokee male in his 20s, 6’5" with a muscular build. He is featured in 26 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 7 and his last on page 105. He has 79 speeches, comprising 297 lines.

• Wild Rose: A strikingly beautiful Cherokee female in her 20s, standing at 5’6" with a muscular build. She appears in 23 scenes, with her first speaking scene on page 5 and her last on page 115. She delivers 69 speeches, totaling 191 lines.

• Little Carpenter: A Cherokee male in his 70s, standing at 5’6" with a medium build. He is featured in 16 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 5 and his last on page 97. He has 52 speeches, comprising 154 lines.

• Oconostota (DENNIS AMBRIZ HAS BEEN CAST): A Cherokee male in his 50s, standing at 6’2" with a large muscular build. He appears in 18 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 1 and his last on page 95. He delivers 52 speeches, totaling 145 lines.

• Col. William Christian: A white male in his 40s, standing at 6’+ with a medium build. He is featured in 12 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 42 and his last on page 96. He has 49 speeches, comprising 170 lines.

• Ole Hood: A white male in his 40s, standing at 5’8"+ with a heavy build. He appears in 16 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 2 and his last on page 112. He delivers 46 speeches, totaling 149 lines.

• John Sevier: A white male in his 30s, standing at 5’10" with a blonde, medium build. He is featured in 11 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 69 and his last on page 113. He has 42 speeches, comprising 123 lines.

• James Robertson: A white male in his 30s, of medium height and build. He appears in 9 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 49 and his last on page 105. He delivers 25 speeches, totaling 91 lines.

• Major Lewis: A white male in his 40s, of medium height and build. He is featured in 12 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 11 and his last on page 67. He has 28 speeches, comprising 88 lines.

• Lt. Coymore: A white male in his 30s, of medium height and build. He appears in 6 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 18 and his last on page 26. He delivers 24 speeches, totaling 53 lines.

• Captain Stuart: A white male in his 40s, of medium height and build. He is featured in 10 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 35 and his last on page 65. He has 23 speeches, comprising 83 lines.

• Big Foot Spencer: A white Scottish male in his 30s, standing at 6’5"+ with a heavy build. He appears in 10 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 2 and his last on page 113. He delivers 23 speeches, totaling 70 lines.

• Ensign Bell: A white male in his 20s, of medium height and build. He appears in 6 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 18 and his last on page 26. He delivers 18 speeches, totaling 37 lines.

• Lt. Marion: A white male in his 20s, of medium height and build. He appears in 10 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 38 and his last on page 113. He delivers 16 speeches, totaling 55 lines.

• Capt. Demere: A white male in his 40s, of medium height with a slim build. He appears in 7 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 28 and his last on page 34. He delivers 14 speeches, totaling 44 lines.

• Governor Lyttleton: A white male in his 60s, of medium build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 17 and his last on page 26. He delivers 10 speeches, totaling 30 lines.

• Jay-see (CODY JONES HAS BEEN CAST): A Cherokee male in his 20s, standing at 6’3" with a slender muscular build. He appears in 6 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 52 and his last on page 91. He delivers 9 speeches, totaling 20 lines.

• Alexander Cameron: A white male in his 40s, of medium height with a slim build. He appears in 4 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 59 and his last on page 108. He delivers 8 speeches, totaling 36 lines.

• Ah-lee-sss-ah-kway-tee: A Cherokee female in her 20s, standing at 5’6" with a muscular build. She appears in 4 scenes, with her first speaking scene on page 9 and her last on page 77. She delivers 8 speeches, totaling 17 lines.

• John Benge: A white Scottish male in his 40s, standing at 5’10" with a stocky build. He appears in 3 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 83 and his last on page 92. He delivers 7 speeches, totaling 23 lines.

• Mrs. Bean: A white female in her 30s, of medium height with a slim build. She appears in 3 scenes, with her first speaking scene on page 50 and her last on page 77. She delivers 7 speeches, totaling 17 lines.

• Gov. Patrick Henry: A white male in his 40s, of medium height and build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 79 and his last on page 101. He delivers 10 speeches, totaling 53 lines.

• Richard Henderson: A white male in his 40s, of medium height and build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 52 and his last on page 95. He delivers 5 speeches, totaling 29 lines.

• The Scot Ferguson: A white Scottish male in his 40s, standing at 5’10" with a slim build. He appears in 3 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 110 and his last on page 112. He delivers 5 speeches, totaling 20 lines.

• The Raven: A Cherokee male in his 40s, standing at 6’+ with a heavy build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 87 and his last on page 93. He delivers 5 speeches, totaling 17 lines.

• Old Tassels: A Cherokee male in his 40s, standing at 5’10" with a heavy build. He appears in 3 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 11 and his last on page 96. He delivers 4 speeches, totaling 46 lines.

• Catawba scout #1: A Catawba male in his 30s, of medium build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 39 and his last on page 40. He delivers 4 speeches, totaling 4 lines.

• The Mortar: A Creek male in his 40s, standing at 5’10" with a heavy build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 46 and his last on page 46. He delivers 3 speeches, totaling 16 lines.

• De Peyster: A white male in his 40s, of medium height and build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 110 and his last on page 110. He delivers 3 speeches, totaling 10 lines.

• Benge’s Cherokee wife: A Cherokee female in her 30s, of medium build. She appears in 1 scene, with her first speaking scene on page 83 and her last on page 84. She delivers 3 speeches, totaling 8 lines.

• Bonnie Kate Sherrill: A white female in her early 20s, tall with a slim build. She appears in 1 scene, with her first speaking scene on page 69 and her last on page 71. She delivers 3 speeches, totaling 7 lines.

• Hood’s wife: A Cherokee female in her 30s, of medium build. She appears in 2 scenes, with her first speaking scene on page 6 and her last on page 9. She delivers 3 speeches, totaling 6 lines.

• General Rutherford: A white male in his 50s, of medium height and build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 62 and his last on page 62. He delivers 2 speeches, totaling 14 lines.

• Runner: A Cherokee male in his late teens, standing at 5’8" with a slim build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 10 and his last on page 10. He delivers 2 speeches, totaling 6 lines.

• Bob Shaw: A white male in his 30s, of medium height and build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 108 and his last on page 109. He delivers 2 speeches, totaling 6 lines.

• Bryan Ward: A white male of Irish descent in his 30s, of medium height and build. He appears in 2 scenes, with his first speaking scene on page 13 and his last on page 16. He delivers 2 speeches, totaling 4 lines.

• Georgia Col. James Grant: A white male in his 30s, of medium height and build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 78 and his last on page 78. He delivers 2 speeches, totaling 3 lines.

• Shawnee Chief: A Shawnee male in his 40s, standing at 5’10" with a medium build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 64 and his last on page 64. He delivers 1 speech, totaling 8 lines.

• Mohawk Chief: A Mohawk male in his 50s, standing at 5’10" with a medium build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 64 and his last on page 64. He delivers 1 speech, totaling 4 lines.

• Hood’s son: A Cherokee male in his late teens, of medium build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 6 and his last on page 6. He delivers 1 speech, totaling 2 lines.

• Soldier: A white male in his late 30s, of medium build. He appears in 1 scene, with his first speaking scene on page 29 and his last on page 29. He delivers 1 speech, totaling 1 line.

Submission Guidelines

While a strong background in theater and acting is valued, it is not a mandatory requirement for consideration. All interested individuals are encouraged to submit their application materials, which should include a resume highlighting relevant experience, a professional headshot, and additional photographs (Polaroid or digital) in a swimsuit or shorts and tank top, showcasing front, side, and back views.

The headshot should be of high quality, providing a clear and representative image of the applicant. Applicants should also provide their personal statistics, including hair color, height, weight, and clothing sizes, along with their contact information (phone number, mailing address, and email address). If applicable, applicants are welcome to indicate their Tribal affiliation.

To obtain the necessary actor profile documents, applicants should email Michelle Shining Elk at MICHELLESHININGELK@GMAIL.COM. Completed casting applications, along with all supporting documentation, should be submitted to Margie Small, Casting Director. Contact information for Margie Small is provided on the actor profile form.

Information for South Dakota Auditionees

Individuals who auditioned in South Dakota are requested to contact the casting director as soon as possible via email at Casting_thelostwarrior@yahoo.com or by phone.

Explore The Lost Warrior Online

For additional information about The Lost Warrior, including updates on the production and casting process, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the film’s official website at www.thelostwarrior.com.
The filming of The Lost Warrior promises to be an epic film.