Production Begins on ‘WHITE BOY RICK’ Starring Matthew McConaughey

Principal photography has officially begun on Studio 8’s upcoming drama WHITE BOY RICK, produced by LBI Entertainment and Protozoa Pictures. Based on true events, the film is set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic and tells the moving story of a blue-collar and his teenage son, who became an undercover informant and later a drug dealer, before he was dropped by his handlers and sentenced to life in prison.

Starring newcomer Richie Merritt as Ricky Wershe Jr. and Matthew McConaughey as Rick’s father, Richard Wershe Sr.

Merritt, 15, was discovered in Baltimore during an extensive nationwide talent search. Hailing from a similar socioeconomic background as Wershe, Merritt’s natural talent, charisma and authenticity impressed the filmmakers, as well as his chemistry with McConaughey who plays his father.

Also starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane as FBI agents who begin working with Rick as a confidential informant; Bryan Tyree Henry as narcotics detective Officer Jackson; Bruce Dern as Rick’s grandfather, Ray Wershe; Piper Laurie as Rick’s grandmother, Verna Wershe; Bel Powley as Rick’s sister, Dawn; Jonathan Majors as Johnny Curry; Rapper YG as Leo Curry; RJ Cyler as Rudell Curry; Taylour Paige as Cathy Volsan; and Kyanna Simone Simpson as Brenda.

Directed by Yann Demange from an original script by Logan & Noah Miller with revisions by writers Andy Weiss, Scott Silver and Steve Kloves. John Lesher, Julie Yorn, Darren Aronofsky, and Scott Franklin produce. Georgia Kacandes, Ari Handel, Matthew Krul, Christopher Malick, Michael J. Weiss, Logan Miller and Noah Miller executive produce.

Demange’s behind-the-scenes crew includes director of photography Tat Radcliffe, production designer Stefania Cella, costume designer Amy Westcott, and editor Chris Wyatt.

Production will primarily take place in Cleveland through early June with a couple of days in Detroit and Las Vegas. Sony Pictures will release the film on January 12, 2018.