The creators of “Last Resort,” an ABC pilot about to start shooting here this week, have gone where no TV drama has gone in recent years. They’re auditioning — and casting — Hawaii actors for potential series regulars.
Honolulu acting coach Scott Rogers, who has been busy for the last few weeks with nearly two dozen actors reading for “Last Resort,” called the development unprecedented. The normally reserved (but acerbic) Rogers is practically giddy at the unfolding opportunity.
“I think it’s a really positive thing,” he said. “These are bigger parts than we ever get to try out for here.”
“Last Resort” follows the crew of a U.S. ballistic missile submarine that disobeys a suspicious order to fire its nuclear missiles. In the process, the crew become fugitives and are forced to hide on an island named Sainte Marina, which houses a NATO outpost.
The pilot was written by Karl Gajdusek and Shawn Ryan, who will also serve as the executive producer. Ryan was the creator of the dark FX police drama “The Shield.” Martin Campbell, who directed “Casino Royale” in 2006, will direct the pilot.
The ensemble cast of “Last Resort” includes Andre Braugher, Sarah Chalke, Scott Speedman, Dichen Lachman, Daniel Lissing and Autumn Reeser.
Late last week, Hawaii’s Jodi Jarvis was cast as Abigail and Kamakani deDely as a weapons officer on the submarine, their talent agency, ADR, announced.
At the moment, “Last Resort” is only in the pilot stage — Sony Pictures Television is producing it for ABC — but if it gets picked up as a series, Jarvis and deDely are assured of roles, Rogers said.
“They are both indispensable to the series,” Rogers said. “It’s such a huge thing for us.”
But even for those not chosen, the experience has incredible value. “Last Resort” has actors reading up to four scenes, with two to three pages a scene, he said.
“Doing that on a network level is such a great experience for our actors,” Rogers said. “And I think it will pay off.”
WHEN HE was in Hawaii recently to promote his new movie, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” actor Dwayne Johnson said he remains committed to bringing the story of Kamehameha the Great to the big screen.
Although a script was written in 2002, when Johnson first got involved, the project has been idle for several years. But Johnson, who spent some of his youth in Hawaii, thinks about the story a lot, he said.
“One of the greatest assets we have today is that there are a few ways you can shoot Kamehameha, and it can be incredible,” Johnson said. “It can be visually stunning.”
Stylistically, the story of Hawaii’s greatest ruler could be told in the way “300” was, in the stylized manner of a gritty, graphic novel. Or, it could have the broad sweeping landscapes and battles found in “Braveheart.”
Previous cost estimates have been daunting. No studio has yet been interested in making a movie that could cost $200 million, Johnson said. And that’s without a director.
Johnson, of course, is a much bigger star today than he was a decade ago. He has the clout to make producers listen.
“When all the variables come together, that movie is going to get done,” he said.
But one element is certain, even in this stage of daydreaming for the silver screen.
“The sensitivities, however, lie in families, culture and people making sure that the name of Kamehameha is honored, respected and understood,” Johnson said. “Whenever it gets done, it will get done right in the right way.”
AND that’s a wrap …
———
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
