After getting his start on various Disney Channel shows, Jake T. Austin has his eye set on some feature-length projects. According to Variety, the 17 year-old has been cast to lead the indie feature Grantham and Rose, with Kristin Hanggi directing the picture.
Austin will portray a young man “struggling to find his way as an adult in New York City. A petty crime thrusts him into the company of a feisty 81-year-old African American woman, who teaches him about life and love, and together they take a road trip back to their roots.” Michael Urie, Meghan-Michelle German, Evangel Fung, screenwriter Ryan Spahn, and Hanggi herself make up the long list of producers for the coming-of-age tale.
Aside from his work on Wizards of Waverly Place — which just wrapped its final season last year — Austin provided his voice to some movies over the past few years, including Rio and Everyone’s Hero back in 2006. He’s made some guests spots on Law & Order: SVU and Drop Dead Diva, and will also be seen in the upcoming indie Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. Much like other kid show stars (think of Emma Roberts, mostly) I could definitely see him taking on more dramatic roles in hopes of getting away from the kiddie side of Hollywood. And Grantham seems like a good start at that.
Filming for Grantham and Rose starts next month in Georgia.