Ben Winchell Cast As MAX STEEL & Ana Villafane As Sydney Gardner In Live-Action Film
The live-action Max Steel film, co-produced by Mattel and Dolphin Films, has found its leads in newcomers Ben Winchell (Necessary Roughness, A.N.T. Farm) and Ana Villafane (Hiding, Los Americans).
Dolphin Films announced today that they have cast Ben Winchell as Max McGrath/Max Steel and Ana Villafane as his love interest, Sydney Gardner, in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Max Steel.
Thor: The Dark World writer, Christopher Yost has signed on to write and Stewart Handler will be taking on directing duties. The film is slated for a wide theatrical release in 2015 and is currently being presented to buyers in Berlin as the first in a planned series of Max Steel films. Open Road Films has signed a multi-year, multi-picture deal with Dolphin Films to distribute.
With this film, Mattel hopes to establish themselves in the film industry, just like their competitor Hasbro has done with their highly successful Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises.
The high-octane story centers on teenager Max McGrath and his alien companion Steel, who combine special turbo-energy powers to become the superhero Max Steel™. The film provides audiences with the first new superhero in decades, bringing a positive and relatable hero to audiences of all ages, while combining action and adventure with teamwork, laughter and friendship.
The “Max Steel” film is positioned to capitalize on the global momentum around the Max Steel franchise. In Latin America, Max Steel has been a number one action figure* brand for more than 10 years and has generated year-over-year revenue growth in toys and consumer products. Mattel re-introduced the Max Steel franchise to the rest of the world at the 2013 Nuremberg Toy Fair to much fanfare, and has subsequently launched the brand in more than 150 countries with branded entertainment, toys, games and publishing. In a short time, the Max Steel brand has gained widespread appeal around the world, including influential markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Australia.