Bret Easton Ellis Signs on as Executive Producer of 'Disappear Here'

I recently reported that James Duke Mason had been dropped from the neo-noir political thriller "Disappear Here," a project he had spearheaded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Now I can report that author Bret Easton Ellis ("Less Than Zero," "The Rules of Attraction," "American Psycho"), fresh off his screenwriting credit on "The Canyons," has joined the film as an executive producer.

From a news release:

Iconoclastic Features is pleased to announce that seminal novelist and screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis ("The Canyons") will executive produce the company's new feature project, the neo-noir thriller "Disappear Here." Matthew Mishory ("A Portrait of James Dean") will direct; he penned the script with Robert Zimmer, Jr. ("A Portrait of James Dean"; "Half-Life"). Zimmer will executive produce with Ellis. Edward Singletary Jr. and Randall Walk are set to produce with major casting announcements forthcoming. 

Mishory describes it as “a dream collaboration”. 

“We borrowed the title from a line in Bret’s essential L.A. novel 'Less Than Zero,' even though we’d never met him,” Mishory explains. Zimmer adds, “Luckily, he was intrigued and agreed to have drinks with us instead of sue.” 

"Disappear Here" is set in a parallel shadow world where Hollywood and national politics intersect and where privacy is now a commodity for sale. Chase, a young actor in Los Angeles, becomes the target of a digital blackmailing scheme that also jeopardizes a heavyweight political campaign. Mishory, Zimmer, and the film's producers last collaborated on the stylish and controversial feature "A Portrait of James Dean," a re-examining of the iconic movie star set before his fame. It world premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival and was a selection at Frameline, Outfest, Palm Springs, Guadalajara, Rio de Janeiro, and Reykjavik. Released theatrically in the United States, the UK, and Germany, a French release is coming September 2013.

Will be interesting to see who they cast to replace Belinda Carlisle's son.

James Duke Mason Dropped From 'Disappear Here' Film Project

Don't look for Belinda Carlisle's son to follow in his famous grandfather's big (screen) footsteps anytime soon. James Duke Mason sent out a message to supporters of his successful Kickstarter campaign letting them know that he is no longer a part of "Disappear Here," the political thriller he was aggressively promoting, because he was unable to reach an agreement to re-option the script from the writers, Matthew Mishory (who is also directing) and Robert Zimmer (who is also producing). Zimmer says they will recast the role, despite the fact that a widely hyped teaser trailer had already been released online. You may recall that Mason had also involved his father, Morgan Mason, who produced "Sex, Lies and Videotape" in 1989:

Duke tells his Kickstarter supporters:

I am writing you to update you on the situation with regard to our film project DISAPPEAR HERE.

As you know, the funds that were raised through Kickstarter were used for writing fees to Matthew Mishory and Robert Zimmer, and to produce the teaser trailer we released in April which can be seen on YouTube. Without going into too much detail, the option I had on the script was for 18 months, and that expired on July 9th, 2013.

Much to my great disappointment, I was unable to come to terms with Matthew and Robert for an extension of the option. The result of all this is that, as the owners of the screenplay, they have decided to go ahead with the project without my involvement. They have assured me that they will honor all of the commitments made to the Kickstarter contributors when/if the film is eventually produced.

Having spent 4 years of my life developing this, you can imagine how upsetting this turn of events is for me, and how bad I feel about not being able to deliver for you. I want you to know that in the future, if I participate in another Kickstarter film project, I will include you and the incentives promised to you during this project as a show of good faith, without any further contribution on your part.

Thank you again for all your support and faith in me.  

 Sincerely,  

 James Duke Mason

Ouch. (If I had a dime for every time a friend in Hollywood was "this close" to his next big role. ...) Zimmer told me he would characterize the parting of ways as "amicable":

We wish the Masons the very best, and continued success for Duke in his important political advocacy work. "Disappear Here" will still be made -- there was just a fundamental disagreement as to how to get it done. I know the Masons share our gratitude for all of the Kickstarter supporters, and for everyone who shares our belief in equality. The film will carry on reflecting that bold spirit. AND -- we'll have new casting and production announcements in the next couple of weeks. :) 

So looking ahead at a replacement -- keeping in mind the film's modest budget -- I'm thinking James Deen seems like a possibility, or maybe Jonathan Groff, who is openly gay. There may be some other changes ahead. Stay tuned.