OPENING DATE: “MAX” OPENS IN THEATERS – FRIDAY, JUNE 26
CAST: Josh Wiggins, Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church, Robbie Amell, Luke Kleintank, Dejon LaQuake, Mia Xitlali, Carlos (Max)
DIRECTOR: Boaz Yakin (REMEMBER THE TITANS, UPTOWN GIRLS)
JOSH WIGGIN’S CHARACTER: “Justin Wincott”
ABOUT “JUSTIN WINCOTT”: After losing his brother, a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, Justin Wincott must rehabilitate his dog, Max who now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“MAX” SYNOPSIS: A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell). But when things go terribly wrong on a routine mission, Max is left without the companionship of his best friend. Sent stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle’s teenage brother, Justin (Josh Wiggins). But Justin has issues of his own, including the stress of living up to his father’s expectations. Soon, Justin’s growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and the pair race to unravel a mystery, where they find more excitement—and danger—than they bargained for.
JOSH WIGGINS BIO: (Justin Wincott) is one of Hollywood’s rising young actors. He recently wrapped production on Trey Nelson’s “Lost in the Sun,” starring Josh Duhamel and Lynn Collins. The action thriller is scheduled for release in 2015.
Wiggins first gained critical attention in 2014, when he made his big screen debut in “Hellion” at the Sundance Film Festival. In the film, Wiggins portrays Jacob Wilson, a troubled 13-year-old boy who is dealing with the loss of his mother and the hardships of a neglectful father. Although rebellious, Wiggins’ character attempts to take care of his younger brother. Directed by Kat Candler, the cast also includes Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis and Deke Garner.
Wiggins currently resides in Texas.
BOAZ YAKIN BIO: (Director/Writer/Executive Producer) made his first directorial effort with “Fresh,” which was based on his own screenplay. It attracted talent such as Samuel L. Jackson and Giancarlo Esposito to star in it, and the film earned the Filmmakers Trophy at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, as well as prizes in the Tokyo film festival and other festivals throughout Europe.
Yakin’s experiences with the Chassidic community informed his next directorial effort, “A Price Above Rubies.” Yakin next took on “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington, for producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The film was a box office success, and a perennial audience favorite. He then made a foray into comedy with “Uptown Girls,” starring Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning. Yakin wrote, produced and directed “Death in Love,” a controversial film that had its premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
He has also written several graphic novels, including The Remarkable Worlds of Phineas B. Fuddle, illustrated by his brother Erez Yakin and released by Paradox Press. He wrote two other graphic novels published by 1st Second Books: Marathon, illustrated by Joe Infurnari, came out in June, 2012, and Jerusalem, illustrated by Nick Bertozzi, was released in April 2013.
Yakin most recently wrote and directed “Safe,” an action film starring Jason Statham, released in April of 2012, and wrote and served as an executive producer on Louis Letterrier’s 2013 box office success “Now You See Me.”