Oscar winner JK Simmons has officially signed on to join the cast of 109 Billion Followers for the upcoming comedy-drama film. Simmons will direct the project alongside his daughter, Olivia Simmons. This comes after the duo recently starred in the thriller film You Can't Run Forever. The Whiplash actor is expected to play a homeless man who becomes the main subject of a student documentary film directed by Olivia Simmons' character.
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“It follows a film student making a documentary about a homeless man convinced he’s the Grim Reaper,” the synopsis reads. “Her cameraman and unlikely love interest (Jake Ryan) adds laughs and heart, while her broken but loving mother adds drama and mess.”
In addition to the father-daughter duo, 109 Billion Followers will also star Jake Ryan (Asteroid City) and Nina Arianda (Goliath), the latter of whom previously worked with JK Simmons in the 2021 biopic Being the Ricardos. The film, described as a magical realist dramedy, hails from writer-director Ela Thier, who also produces alongside Nicholas Tabarrok. Production is expected to begin in November in New York City.
"I wrote this script specifically for father-daughter team JK and Olivia Simmons because I know their relationship will shine on screen and steal hearts," Thier said in a statement. "Our relationships with our parents or caregivers can be painful and complex and can impact all of our relationships later in life. This film is my love letter to all parents, including my own."
