Duhamel to Lead Ventriloquist Dummy Horror 'Speak' as Sales Launch in Toronto
Josh Duhamel has signed on to star in the psychological horror thriller 'Speak,' directed by John Kissack and co-written by Kissack, Joe Carnahan, and Casey Giltner. The project, produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura's Di Bonaventura Pictures alongside several others, centers on a sinister vintage ventriloquist dummy. Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment will introduce the film to buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival market, with CAA Media Finance handling U.S. rights.
The production brings together a notable team of genre veterans, with Joe Carnahan co-writing the script alongside director John Kissack and Casey Giltner. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who previously worked with Duhamel on the Transformers franchise, produces through his Di Bonaventura Pictures banner, joined by Carnahan, Marvin Neil, Liz Paulson, and Kay Cardinal.
Financing was arranged by CAA Media Finance, which also co-represents U.S. distribution rights. Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment, led by Edoardo Bussi, will present the project to international buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival market, positioning the ventriloquist dummy horror as a key genre offering for the fall sales season.
This project reflects the continued commercial viability of horror as a reliable theatrical draw, particularly when anchored by recognizable talent like Duhamel. The vintage dummy premise taps into longstanding cultural anxieties around puppets and the uncanny, which may resonate with audiences seeking elevated, psychologically driven scares. For Duhamel, the role could signal a pivot toward darker genre material, potentially broadening his post-blockbuster career range. Industry observers may watch how the Toronto market responds, as buyer interest could indicate whether mid-budget horror with name stars remains a sustainable investment.