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DEADLINE EXCLUSIVE: Daytime Emmy-winner Mike Manning (This is Us, Days of Our Lives) and Olivia Blue (Theater is Dead, Animal Kingdom) will star in alien adventure film Unexpected Treasures, directed by John Paul Ungaretti, and written by Ungaretti, and Christina Heller. Ungaretti, best known for his work in the VFX and editorial department on movies like Water for Elephants and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked and shows like Lost Ollie and Outer Banks on Netflix.
The film’s cast is rounded out with AnnaMaria DeMara (Lost in Space, Lucifer), Jay Whittaker (The Orville, Let’s Go to Prison), Michael Dunn (Bosch, NCIS), Lauren Han (Beef, Extracurricular), and Rex Edhlund.
Production for the film recently wrapped in Joshua Tree, CA. The script was inspired by the many extra-terrestrial-related stories and folklore of the Joshua Tree community and desert area. In the film, a wild alien encounter restores a local resident’s faith in humanity. Blue stars as the local resident, while Manning stars as the alien.
Unexpected Treasures is produced by Heller, Aline Andrade (How to Become a Cult Leader), and executive produced by Joanna Popper, Virginia Galloway, and Marcie Jastrow. Blue and Manning are also executive producers on the film.
Manning is currently nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in The Bay on Peacock, Tubi and Popstar TV. The 2024 Daytime Emmy ceremony will air live on CBS on Friday, June 7th on CBS.
Blue is repped by Jonathan Rakower at Framework Entertainment and Jaime Love at LoveTalent Agency. Manning is repped by Kurt Patino at Patino Management Company and Kris Heller at IAG.
