New martial arts film casting in Brevard County

Film stars Rockledge native Don "The Dragon" Wilson

Those who grew up watching Cynthia Rothrock or Don "The Dragon" Wilson kick butt on screen may have a chance to appear in their next film together.

According to our news partners at Florida Today, casting for "The Martial Arts Kid" is Thursday and Friday in Cocoa Beach. Rothrock, a five-time world karate champion, was one of the first American female martial arts stars to lead a martial arts movie. Wilson, a Rockledge High graduate and former bouncer in the '70s for the Anchor Bar in Cocoa Beach, has starred in more than 30 films.

"It's very, very exciting because let's face it. He's coming back here to do it in his hometown, to hire local people," said Space Coast Film Commissioner Bonnie King.

Rothrock and Wilson play a married couple in the film.

"It's a little bit like 'A Walk to Remember,' but with martial arts," Michael Baumgarten, writer, director and co-producer, said by phone Tuesday. "This is a film about a kid who needs better guidance and better friends."

A synopsis listed on Moviepilot.com said Wilson and Rothrock play an aunt and uncle who take in a troubled young family member after the death of his mother. They teach him martial arts from their Florida beach town in order to help him control his anger and rage.

The cast list reads like a who's who in the martial arts world with names like Tara Cardinal, Daniel Moncada, Matthew Ziff, Adrienne Camille, Alan Goldberg, Glenn Wilson, Gerry Blanck, Rick St. Clair, Eric Kovaleski, Olando "The Warrior" Rivera, and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.

"It's a Clint Eastwood-y type of film," Baumgarten said.

For casting, bring headshots, and be prepared to do a screen test. Baumgarten, who spent time in Brevard when he was growing up in Orlando, is looking for extras. Lots of extras.

"We need a lot of people for school, extras that could be the students, extras for the parking lot, the hallways, the classroom," he said.

The details

What: Casting for crew and extras for "The Martial Arts Kid"

When: 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday (for crew) and 1 to 4 p.m. Friday (for casting)

Where: Dunes 1 room at Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach 


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