Following Nationwide Auditions Cast Names Announced for Girl Group “Xplode” for Rebel Wilson Comedy
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Rebel Wilson unveils seven breakout stars cast as girl group Xplode in her new comedy Girl Group, now wrapped on production
The film pairs rising talent with major stars and pop icons in a high-profile collaboration with Live Nation Studios
After auditioning thousands across the US in a nationwide search lasting several months, Rebel Wilson announces the seven actors cast to form the features’ girl band Xplode. Ana Yi Puig (Gainesville, FL), Bailey Stender (Duluth, MN), Chabely Ponce (Miami, FL), Daniela Cuoso (Miami, FL), Lilah Pate (Wilmington, NC), Mia Kaplan (San Diego, CA) and Miracle Washington (North Augusta, SC) join the cast of Girl Group— a fresh and heartfelt new comedy that just wrapped production.
Wilson is writing, directing, producing and starring in the film for Live Nation Studios and Future Artists Entertainment and will play a pop-diva who gets kicked out of her own girl group and seizes the chance to stage a comeback by coaching a group of misfit teen girls for a major record label audition.
“It was so fun to unearth such amazing talent in the US. They’re all quadruple threats in this movie in that they sing, dance, act and have to be funny. I’m proud of them and can’t wait for audiences to see their brilliant work!” said Wilson.
The ensemble cast also includes Jennifer Coolidge (White Lotus, American Pie), Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Blvd., Pussycat Dolls), Randall Park (WandaVision, Fresh off the Boat), Sheridan Smith (Mrs Biggs, Cilla), Jamie Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls, Leonard & Hungry Paul), comedian Guz Khan (Man Like Mobeen, The Gentleman) and Jolene (Star Trek: Enterprise) as well as Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm and All Saints’ Shaznay Lewis who will form girlband Girlfriends alongside Wilson’s character. Loren Gray will also star.
The film will also be produced by Wilson under her Camp Sugar banner, alongside Matt Williams of Future Artists Entertainment and executive produced by Live Nation Studios. Chris Scott (Wicked) is the choreographer.
About Live Nation Studios
Live Nation Entertainment leads the industry bringing artists and their live shows to stages worldwide. Live Nation Studios was created to help those same artists tell their stories. The Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-nominated division is home to artist-driven films and TV series dedicated to sharing those groundbreaking, musically-inspired stories for audiences worldwide. The most recent premieres include “The French Montana Story: For Khadija” and The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” Documentaries including “Billy Idol Should Be Dead,” Becky G’s “Rebbeca,” Ty Dolla $ign’s “Still Free TC” and Dustin Lance Black’s “Rock Out” as well as Anderson .Paak ‘s scripted feature “K-Pops” are coming soon. Live Nation Studios’ previous projects include the critically acclaimed “A Star is Born,” “Love, Lizzo,” “Imagine Dragons: Believer,” “Hip Hop World,” “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” “Moonage Daydream (David Bowie),” “Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind,” and “Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids.”
About FAE
Future Artists Entertainment was founded in 2019 by Producer Matt Williams and has had an unprecedented entrance into the film industry producing 22 films in 5 years. FAE’s latest releases include Netflix UK’s No. 1, Bank of Dave 2, featuring Rory Kinnear, as well as Russel Crowe’s Pokerface, featuring Liam Hemsworth, How to Date Billy Walsh on Amazon Prime starring Tanner Buchanan, Nick Frost, Sebastian Croft and Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandran, Breaking Point, starring Hannah John Kamen and Alice Eve and Robin and The Hoods, starring Naomie Harris and Gwendoline Christie both for Sky. Upcoming releases include Lionsgate survival thriller Above The Below co-directed and starring Idris Elba, Maintenance Required starring Madeline Petsch and Jacob Scipio for Amazon and Tinsel Town starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson for Sky Cinema. Focusing on mainstream commercial and culturally relevant content, we work with the world’s leading creatives, talent and global distributors. With an exciting line up of films for various streamers and studios for 25/26 and a full development slate pipeline, FAE is one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic full-servicing production companies.