The cast of writer-director Elijah Bynum’s highly anticipated crime thriller My Darling California has expanded with a major new addition. Chris Evans has officially signed on to the project, taking over the role initially slated for Josh Brolin, who had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts.
Evans’s involvement elevates the ensemble cast, which already includes notable stars and rising talents. According to Deadline, the cast features Chris Pine, Jessica Chastain, Mikey Madison, Charles Melton, and Don Cheadle — all attached to the film. Bynum is directing the project after his acclaimed festival favorite, Magazine Dreams.
Set in Los Angeles in 1980, the story explores how a single crime intertwines the lives of diverse characters, including a TV host, his restless wife, a country music star, two small-time criminals, and an ex-convict—all of whom are chasing the promise of a better life. The official logline teases a layered narrative, though specific roles have yet to be disclosed.
Evans’s decision to join the project follows a busy period that includes his roles in Celine Song’s Materialists and Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday. His participation continues a pattern of balancing blockbuster franchises with compelling, director-driven films.
Chris Pine, recently seen in Rachel Lambert’s Carousel, brings a wealth of experience in neo-noir storytelling. Jessica Chastain, an Oscar winner for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Don Cheadle, known for his role in Prime Video’s Unstoppable, add further star power. Mikey Madison, fresh off her Oscar-winning performance in Sean Baker’s Anora, and Charles Melton, currently garnering attention for Beef Season 2, round out the core cast.
Production is expected to begin toward the end of summer, with the industry eagerly watching as the remaining casting details are finalized.
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