It is spooky season and what better way to kick off Halloween festivities than with the new horror comedy Carved, out on Hulu now. Before the film’s release, we chatted with actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee who stars as Kira and co-writer and director Justin Harding to learn more about the casting and audition process and the unique plot of the film.
Carved is based on the 2018 short film of the same name, with Justin returning to write and direct the dark horror comedy. The film takes viewers back to Halloween night in 1993 and follows the Cedar Creek Village theater team who find themselves in a living nightmare when a pumpkin comes to life and decides to get revenge after years of being carved up as a Halloween decoration.
Peyton: “There are so many things that were really fun to dive into with Justin and really build what feels like a whole human that has to navigate all these ridiculous and crazy situations.”
The film brings together both well known talents and new faces, with Wyatt Lindner (Titans), Sasha Mason (Ozark) and more on the project. Starring alongside Peyton is also Corey Fogelmanis from My Life with the Walter Boys and Girl Meets World!
You may already recognize Peyton from when she got her big break on the hit Disney Channel TV series Andi Mack. She has also voiced Rani in Disney’s animated TV series The Lion Guard, starred as Princess Sam in Disney+’s Society of Second-Born Royals and also recently starred in the Disney+ comedy Prom Pact.
Justin said he recognized that the idea of a killer pumpkin film can be seen as a silly concept so when he was casting for the film, he had Zoom calls with each actor to talk through the idea and explain his vision.
Justin: “The process was getting on Zoom and showing our actors that they are in for something that is trying to be a classic and it shouldn’t come across as a silly movie.”
Peyton said she was drawn to Carved simply from seeing Justin’s passion and knowledge and excitement about his idea.
Peyton: “Everything kind of came together for me in that first conversation with Justin.”
This film is for anyone interested in any kind of horror or comedy, and Justin said his ideal way to describe it would be a creature feature and slasher hybrid Halloween adventure! Talk about such a cool plot just in time for spooky season!
“[This movie] is a kind of creature feature and a slasher in this hybrid Halloween adventure.”
Thank you, Peyton and Justin, for chatting with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow them on their Instagram’s at @peytonelizabethlee and @justinharding_. Watch the rest of the interview where we ask them more about scary moments on set and their favorite part of working on Carved. While you’re there, be sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment.
Consider this:
- People can really tell if you are passionate about your work and ideas. So make sure your knowledge and excitement really shine through while working on a project.
