Young actress Kay Panabaker and Neal McDonough have rounded out the cast of Elgin James feature debut “Little Birds,” an expansion on his 2006 short “Goodnight Moon.”
Panabaker replaces Anna Sophia Robb in the picture and, along with McDonough, joins the likes of Juno Temple, Leslie Mann, Kate Bosworth, Kyle Gallner, Chris Coy and Carlos Pena in the cast.
Previously known as “Goodnight Moon” as well, the retitled “Little Birds” follows two young girls living in a dead-end town who try to escape their boring lives by running away to Los Angeles with a group of charismatic street kids. The story takes inspiration from James’ own life with the writer-director himself living on the streets as a youth and going on to form Boston straight-edge group, FSU, who would rob drug dealers and donate to local charities among other deeds.
“I grew up suffocating in a small rural town, longing for the rush and chaos of the city. When I finally made it out, I ended up homeless and in a gang. I believe I survived the streets to tell this story, hoping to mine the ghosts of John Ford and George Stevens and weave a classic adventure of two modern day fifteen-year old girls,” said James, who began developing the feature at the famous Sundance Labs.
Jamie Patricof (“Half Nelson,” “Blue Valentine”) and Alan and Gabe Polsky (“Bad Lieutenant”) are producing the project which is currently lensing in Los Angeles while sales are being taken care of in Cannes.