Dean Norris and Stephen Dorff have joined the cast of “Elastic Hearts,” the U.S. feature debut from Danish writer-director Milad Schwartz Avaz, Forty Five Films has revealed.
The pair join previously announced leads Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”) and Darby Lee-Stack (“The Holdovers”) in the intimate, character-driven drama set in contemporary America. Plot details remain under wraps, with Sprouse playing Oliver and Lee-Stack taking on the role of Allie. Principal photography is scheduled to wrap Oct. 12, following a Sept. 8 production start.
“Making an indie film can feel like a steep climb on day one,” said Avaz. “With our high ambitions for ‘Elastic Hearts’ becoming a global film, bringing in Dean Norris and Stephen Dorff has turned that climb into momentum. They came for the script and are giving it everything.”
Avaz previously described the project as “a deeply personal film about love and the choices that shape us.”
The filmmaker’s credits include the series “Alfa,” which screened at Berlinale, the critically acclaimed “While We Live” and “STHLM Blackout,” which marked the first Scandinavian Prime Original. Avaz was named one of Variety‘s Europeans to Watch in 2018.
Misam Avaz produces for Forty Five Films, with Christoffer Jindyl serving as executive producer for Shotgun Productions. Behind the camera, director of photography Albert Salas, a Cannes Lions and Tribeca and Camerimage winner for “Obey,” is lensing the project, while Allan Funch (“If I Die Today”) handles editing duties. Tobias Kropp (“Fixer”) will compose the score, with Lindsey Weissmueller serving as casting director and Paul Merryman as line producer and UPM.
Post-production is expected to wrap around New Year’s, with the picture ready by March 2026. The film will be submitted to leading 2026 festivals following completion.
