Evan Mock and Chloe East have officially joined the cast of Headhunters. The Gossip Girl star and Heretic standout will appear alongside Kevin Costner and Daniel Zovatto in the film, which is set to begin production in January. Renowned cinematographer Steven Holleran will make his feature film directorial debut with this project, which is based on an original concept he developed. Holleran and Costner collaborated to craft the script, which is described as a blend of the high-energy surf culture with the suspenseful elements of horror.
In Headhunters, Costner takes on the role of Lazer, a disillusioned American ex-pat with a shadowy past, now living in Bali, Indonesia. Lazer enlists a crew of surfers, led by Bima, a local photographer, to venture to a remote island in search of the elusive “perfect wave.” However, they soon discover that the island is guarded by an ancient tribe of headhunters determined to protect their territory. This thrilling journey transforms into a harrowing fight for survival, revealing the island as a far cry from the paradise it first seemed—more akin to a nightmare.
Costner is also producing the film through his company, Territory Pictures, along with Scott Steindorff’s Stone Village Films. Additional producers include Howard Kaplan, Dylan Russell, Lindsay Davis, and Stacey Woods, with Jenna Ajlouny as co-producer. Eric Hays will serve as the physical producer, while the creative team includes cinematographer Ericson Core, production designer Derek Hill, and costume designer Lisa Lovaas.
Mock, who rose to fame as a model is known for his role in the Gossip Girl reboot on Max. A Hawaii native with deep ties to surf and skate culture, Mock will feel at home in the film’s setting. His acting repertoire includes Fantasmas and the upcoming Marked Men.
Chloe East, who recently earned critical acclaim for her performance alongside Hugh Grant and Sophie Thatcher in Heretic, has also appeared in The Fabelmans, Generation, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Liv and Maddie, and more.