Shooting begins on Andrew Ahn’s feature FIRE ISLAND, cast complete

by Screenmancer Staff

Los Angeles, CA: Searchlight Pictures announced today the start of principal photography on Andrew Ahn’s feature film FIRE ISLAND, starring previously announced cast Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, and Margaret Cho.  Produced by JAX Media (Russian Doll; Search Party) FIRE ISLAND, set in the iconic Fire Island Pines, is an unapologetic, modern day rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The story, from a screenplay by Joel Kim Booster, centers around two best friends who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation with the help of cheap rosé and a cadre of eclectic friends. FIRE ISLAND will shoot in New York, Brooklyn, and in Fire Island Pines throughout August and September. The film will stream exclusively on Disney’s DTC Platforms as a Hulu Original in the U.S. and Internationally on Disney+ as a Star Original in 2022.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the immensely talented cast and crew of FIRE ISLAND, a film that celebrates chosen family with so much heart and humor,” said Andrew Ahn. “I’m eager for audiences to experience the magic of Fire Island, from dancing in your underwear with your best friends to falling in love.”

“Andrew and Joel have an irreverent, modern take on a beloved romance, infused with versatility and comedy and heart,” said Searchlight Pictures’ Heads of Film Production DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas. “This is a fresh and exciting evolution in the genre.” 

Ahn, director of the acclaimed films Spa Night and Driveways, and producers Tony Hernandez, John Hodges and Brooke Posch have assembled a filmmaking team including Production Designer Katie Hickman (Tallulah); Director of Photography Felipe Vara de Rey (Long Weekend); Costume Designer David Tabbert (Martha Marcy May Marlene); Hair Department Head Amber Jasmin Morrow (Ben is Back); Makeup Head Rashida Bolden (Zola); Editor Brian Kates (Private Life), and Casting Director Jessica Munks (Straight Up). Joel Kim Booster serves as Executive Producer with Jillian Vogel of JAX Media serving as Co-Producer. FIRE ISLAND is being overseen by Searchlight Pictures’ Senior Vice President Acquisitions and Production Chan Phung and Vice President Production Richard Ruiz.

ABOUT THE CAST

 Joel Kim Booster (“Noah”)Sunnyside; Curb Your Enthusiasm; Shrill; Search Party; American Dad; Unplugging

Bowen Yang (“Howie”) Saturday Night Live; Awkwafina is Nora from Queens; Broad City; High Maintenance

Margaret Cho (“Erin”) All-American Girl; Notorious C.H.O. (National Tour); Drop Dead Diva; Over the Moon

Conrad Ricamora (“Will”) The Resident; How to Get Away with Murder; Over the Moon

James Scully (“Charlie”) Modern Love; You; 9-1-1

Matt Rogers (“Luke”) Search Party; Shrill; I Love This For You

Tomas Matos (“Keegan”) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Diana

Torian Miller (“Max”) Goliath; Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot; Chicago Med

Nick Adams (“Cooper”) Shrill; I Love This For You; Q–Force

Zane Phillips (“Dex”) Madam Secretary

Michael Graceffa (“Rhys”) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Aidan Wharton (“Braden”) I Want Your Love

Peter Smith (“Moses”)  Girls5Eva; Shrill

Bradley Gibson (“Johnny”) Power Book II: Ghost

CAST ADDED (FROM LEFT): Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Matt Rogers, Tomas Matos, Torian Miller, Nick Adams PHOTO CREDITS (FROM LEFT): Ricardo Birnbaum, Luke Fontana, Alex Schaefer, Corey Rives, Niklas Rhodes, Chad Wagner

RECAP: SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES’ “FIRE ISLAND”BEGINS PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK AND FIRE ISLAND PINES. FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR AUSTEN-INSPIRED ROMANTIC COMEDY FROMDIRECTOR ANDREW AHN & SCREENWRITER JOEL KIM BOOSTER.

# # #