They say cinemas are on the brink of collapse due to the coronavirus pandemic, but perhaps American Murderer will be one of the films that ends up being movie theaters' saving grace. Its casting alone is sure to bring soap opera audiences (safely) flocking, at least: the crime drama boasts both Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan Randall, Guiding Light) and Ryan Phillippe (ex-Billy Douglas, One Life to Live).
American Murderer is based on the true story of Jason Derek Brown -- a charismatic conman who bankrolls his luxurious lifestyle through a series of scams. When his funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, and, in the process, becomes the FBI's most unlikely top ten fugitive. Variety reports that Pelphrey has signed on to play Brown in the film, while Phillippe has joined in the role of the FBI agent tasked to hunt the con man down.
The indie film will also star Idina Menzel and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver. Filming is set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Pelphrey starred as GL's Jonathan from 2004 to 2009 and won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the CBS soap opera. After he left GL, he briefly appeared on As the World Turns as Mick Dante before going on to shows like The Good Wife, Banshee, Iron Fist, and Ozark. He can currently be seen as Joseph Mankiewicz in David Fincher's Netflix film Mank, and is set for a series regular role in the upcoming series Outer Range.
Phillippe starred as OLTL's Billy from 1992 to 1993. He went on to appear in films like Cruel Intentions, Gosford Park, Crash, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
What are your thoughts on Pelphrey and Phillippe teaming up (or rather, going against each other) in American Murderer? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
