Some people may know him as Brandon Walsh, others Richard Fitzpatrick; whatever you call Jason Priestley, you can also add “director” to that title. THR tells us that the former heartthrob is making his feature-length debut in the form of Cas & Dylan, for Montefiore Films.
Tatiana Maslany (The Vow) has already signed to lead the “dark road-trip comedy about a 61-year-old dying man who plans to end his life on his own terms. That quest takes a detour when the man ends up on the lam with an eccentric 22-year-old woman.” There’s no word as to who will be playing Maslany‘s elder counterpart. Jessie Gabe (Being Erica) wrote the script; Mark Montefiore will produce.
This isn’t the first time Priestley has stepped behind the camera, however, as he directed episodes of Call Me Fritz, Haven, Beverly Hills: 90210, and the 1999 documentary about The Barenaked Ladies, Barenaked America. I’m trying really hard not to judge this project on grounds that Priestley used to be on 90210 — if only out of fear that it could “rub off” on the guy — but he is older and could actually have some directing talent, so I guess I shouldn’t be too harsh.
Maslany teamed with Gabe for the comedy series Being Erica and earned a Sundance 2010 special jury prize for her performance in Grown Up Movie Star. She will also been seen in Blood Pressure and the dramedy Picture Day. Cas & Dylan will shoot in July throughout various cities in Canada.
What do you think of Priestley making his feature length debut?