Details
Union:
Union
Area of media:
Feature Film
Network:
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
ACTRA + 135% Advance
Deadline:
Oct 19, 2025
Shooting starts:
Nov 17, 2025 hiatus: December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026
Shooting finishes:
Jan 23, 2026
Shooting locations:
Winnipeg & environs
Cities for response:
Winnipeg
Comments
Paul Walter Hauser: JOHN SHUSTER. Self-tapes will be requested from selected submissions. Unless otherwise noted in the character description, please approach all dialogue with Standard American English. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, unless otherwise specifically indicated, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, race and ethnicity, age, color, national origin.
Storyline
Based on the true story of the US Men's Curling Team and their astonishing quest for Olympic gold...American curling phenom John Shuster becomes a joke after his team washes out in three consecutive Olympic medal bids in twelve years. Determined to redeem himself and his reputation, he creates his own ‘Team of
Rejects’ - all talented, highly skilled players rejected by the official governing body, USA Curling.
Rejects’ - all talented, highly skilled players rejected by the official governing body, USA Curling.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Waylon Boone | Male 38 - 55 Years old |
Description Waylon and his good buddy Elroy live for curling...Mega fans of the sport, they are wholly dedicated to their side-gig serving as two amateur ‘color commentators’ attending any and all curling bonspiels they possibly can all over the United States. They’ve followed Team Shuster for years, and like John they also hail from the Mid-West. So when John recruits his long-time rival Tyler George they take note! ...Oh yeah, Waylon and Elroy know their curling inside and out - you betcha’! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Elroy Wallace | Male 38 - 52 Years old |
Description Without the support of a TV network or any fancy sponsorships, Elroy and Waylon self-broadcast their curling commentary on-line. As a ‘color commentator’, Elroy employs particularly vivid language in his own down-home way. They’ve developed a modest but dedicated following of other die-hard curling fans, particularly in the Mid-West. These good ‘ole boys of curling are raising funds so they can attend the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. ...If there were such a thing as a ‘curling groupee’ Elroy would be the leader of the pack - platonically speaking of course. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Tom George | Male 38 - 46 Years old |
Description White. A skilled curler himself, Tom George was the manager of the Duluth Curling Club in the late 1990s - and that’s when he first met John Shuster as a twelve year old boy. John’s keen to get into curling so his parents take him down to Tom’s club to give him a shot. Under Tom’s direction, The Duluth Club was known to have the best youth curling program in the country. Highly competitive himself, Tom is kinda’ the stereotype of a ‘hockey dad’ - but the curling version, so a little less aggressive. ...Although much less experienced than his own son Tyler, John’s ability immediately stands out - and here begins the life-long rivalry between John Shuster and Tyler George. Tom does not hold back with his praise for John, or his criticism of Tyler, fuelling animosity that lingers well into their adulthood. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Max Shuster | Male 7 - 9 Years old |
Description SCRIPTED AS AGE 7 - SUBMIT AGE 7 TO 9 IN APPEARANCE White. A bright child, Max Shuster is very aware that his Dad John has not won a gold medal in the Olympics. He’s heard kids at school joke about his Dad’s failure, and even teachers have made mean comments. This includes use of the word ‘Shustered’ to mean failed. Max has heard so many kids and adults call his Dad a loser, Max asks if it’s true, which is heart-breaking for John. ...The great thing is, none of this trash-talk has shaken Max’s love for his father - and he wants to be a great curler just like his Dad one day! PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Young John Shuster | Male 12 - 13 Years old |
Description SCRIPTED AS AGE 12 - SUBMIT AGE 12 TO 13 IN APPEARANCE White, should bear some resemblance to Paul Walter Hauser as a pre-teen. ...Young John has been watching curling on TV and going to bonspiels with his Dad since he was a little kid. He loves the sport, and now that he’s twelve, John wants to try out for the youth league that Tom George runs in Duluth. ...Well, after a couple stones, it becomes clear to everyone that John is a natural. He’s got the confidence to declare he’ll win the first gold medal at the Olympics - and right from the start challenges the ability of a far more experienced team-member, Tom George’s son Tyler, the team skip no less! PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. CURLING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Young Tyler George | Male 12 - 13 Years old |
Description SCRIPTED AS AGE 12 - SUBMIT AGE 12 TO 13 IN APPEARANCE White. Young Tyler George loves curling, and he’s a very skilled player for his age. His Dad runs a youth league in Duluth and he’s viewed as the best player on the team, so naturally he’s the skip. Yes he enjoys curling, but he also knows winning is really important to his Dad, so although Tyler wants to play for fun, he knows deep down that is just not possible. ...One day, a new kid comes to try out for the team - John Shuster. Right from the start, he’s making great shots and his Dad does not hide how great he thinks John plays. Then this new kid has the nerve to tell Tyler that he’s making mistakes, pissing him off. PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. CURLING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | TV Commentator #1 | All 32 - 50 Years old |
Description The on-air personality for a national sports network, this commentator knows curling well and has followed John Shuster’s career, and the progress of the US team over the past three Winter Olympics. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Woman | Female 29 - 40 Years old |
Description It’s a busy night at the Pickwick Bar, the main watering hole in Pickwick, Minnesota. Folks have come in for a beer, and to watch some curling on the big-screen TV. ‘Specs’, the bartender, shares the saga of John Shuster and his quest for Olympic gold with a woman sitting at the bar. She doesn’t know much about curling herself, but appreciates Specs’ playful lesson about the sport. ...There’s a little friendly flirting, but she’s more intrigued by the curling. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Meghan | Female 29 - 34 Years old |
Description It’s opening night at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and all the world’s teams are entering the stadium carrying their national flags - the excitement in the air is electric! Meghan is on the American Women’s hockey team, her third Olympic competition. While waiting for the United States’ turn to enter the stadium, she strikes up a friendly conversation with the US curling team wishing them luck! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Father O'Malley | Male 65 - 78 Years old |
Description Father O’Malley is a regular at the Pickwick Bar in friendly Pickwick, Minnesota. He’s a huge curling fan and always makes it in to watch a match on the big-screen TV, cheering on team USA - or cursing John Shuster depending upon the team’s performance. ...Some might say he’s perhaps just a little too much of a ‘regular’ at the bar. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Reporter #1 | All 28 - 56 Years old |
Description This professional journalist attends the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. They know team USA well and reported upon John’s performance in past Olympics. After a gold medal eluded the team for the past three Winter Olympics, this reporter really wants to know what was different this time? | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Gary | Male 48 - 59 Years old |
Description After another disappointing outcome for team USA at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, John finds himself back at his day job - working as a sales clerk at a sporting goods store. Gary is the store manager and his boss. ...Gary’s not a bad person per se, but he does lack a certain degree of sensitivity around John’s most recent defeat. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Official - Milwaukee | All 38 - 58 Years old |
Description John’s team is playing a regional tournament in Milwaukee...this official reprimands Hamilton for wearing his green beanie. Hamilton tries to explain it’s his good-luck charm, but the official is having none of it. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Niklas Edin | Male 30 - 36 Years old |
Description White. It’s the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and Team USA is competing against Sweden. Niklas Edin is the Swedish skip, landing his team’s last stone right on the button, much to their excitement! ...Not exactly a modest fellow, Niklas has a very high appraisal of his curling abilities - and he does not hide it. In another scene, Niklas offers direction to a team-member in Swedish during a very intense moment of play. SWEDISH ACCENT. CURLING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Singer | All 22 - 49 Years old |
Description The 2017 Olympic Trials in Milwaukee are about to begin - this singer sings the Star-Spangled Banner for an excited crowd of curling enthusiasts! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Reporter | All 28 - 59 Years old |
Description It’s 2018 at the Winter Olympics in South Korea - this journalist among a crowd of other reporters is interviewing John in the official media room...They acknowledge Team USA has had a good start, but also questions how the team will take on Sweden? | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Casey McNally | Male 24 - 30 Years old |
Description Casey McNally is an aspiring young curler. He’s young, physically fit and the kind of athlete the governing body for curling wants to represent Team USA at the next Olympics in 2018. After so many Olympic losses, the curling powers that be want to dump curlers like John Shuster, Matt Hamilton, Tyler George and John Landsteiner for guys like McNally who they perceive to be truer athletes. ...Problem is, McNally is not a very good curler, and he’s a dick. CURLING EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Tom Shuster | Male 36 - 44 Years old |
Description White. John Shuster’s Dad Tom has been by his son’s side for the entirety of his curling career, from that first try-out when John was twelve, all the way to the Olympics. ...And although John Shuster and Tyler George may have had their differences of the years, both their dads are named Tom. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Jackie Shuster | Female 49 - 62 Years old |
Description White. We see John’s mother Jackie in 2014, cheering John on from home while he’s competing in Sochi. ...She adores her boy and is his biggest fan. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Official - Green Bay | Male 29 - 46 Years old |
Description It’s 2014, and John’s team is playing a tournament in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They’ve returned to competition after another bruising defeat, this time in Sochi. John makes a reasonable request to this official, but he’s met with a rude response. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Official - Omaha | Male 29 - 59 Years old |
Description Team Shuster is competing at the Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska. This official approaches the team - they’re going to draw to the button to decide the hammer. He then announces Team Shuster has the hammer! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Official - Everett | Male 29 - 59 Years old |
Description The guys are competing at the 2017 National Championship in Everett, Washington. But Lancer injures his groin mid-shot and cannot proceed. This official delivers the news that if they don’t have an alternate, they’ll have to forfeit the game. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Tournament Official | Male 38 - 64 Years old |
Description This official announces that John’s team came in third place at the Milwaukee bonspiel, and hands them a cheque for $500.00. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Swedish Curler | Male 26 - 38 Years old |
Description White. It’s 2014 in Sochi - and Swedish curlers face off against the Canadians! This Swedish curler is urging his team-mate to ‘shweep harder’! APPROACH ENGLISH DIALOGUE WITH A SWEDISH ACCENT. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Swedish Curler #2 | Male 26 - 38 Years old |
Description White. This Swedish curler making his best effort to ‘shweep’ as hard as he can! APPROACH ENGLISH DIALOGUE WITH A SWEDISH ACCENT. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Canadian Curler | Male 26 - 38 Years old |
Description It’s 2014 in Sochi - and the Canadians are losing to the Swedes...This Canadian skip is disappointed with his team-mate’s guard, and he lets him know it! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Canadian Curler #2 | Male 26 - 38 Years old |
Description This Canadian curler is losing the game to the Swedes and tells his skip to piss off! | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Christine George | Female 32 - 36 Years old |
Description We see Tyler George’s mother Christine at John’s tryout when John and Tyler are twelve years old. ...She’s kinda’ cut from the same cloth as her husband - a tad competitive. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Heavy Curler | Male 28 - 38 Years old |
Description The governing board for Team USA has assembled various players at a gymnasium to determine their selects for the team that will compete at the 2018 Olympics. One player is a little over-weight and Cal Bennett does not hide his contempt. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Opponent #1 | Male 28 - 38 Years old |
Description It’s the bonspiel in Milwaukee and an opposing player is annoyed by Matt Hamilton’s antics. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Reporter #2 | All 28 - 59 Years old |
Description John and the team are responding to reporters in the official media room for the 2018 Olympics - this reporter asks John what he thinks his chances are? | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Officer | All |
Description Asian. This Korean security officer at the Seoul airport orders John to keep moving through the metal detector - after his gold metal sets of the alarm! KOREAN ACCENT. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Snowboarder | Male 22 - 28 Years old |
Description This victorious young snowboarder is very happily heading home from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He’s at the airport and has a little fun at the security gate, setting off alarms with his two gold medals. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Veteran | All 25 - 40 Years old |
Description John and Coach Phil are departing an airport...John locks eyes a wounded veteran in a wheel-chair, and expresses sincere gratitude for their service. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Hank | Male 32 - 44 Years old |
Description Hank is the bouncer at the Pickwick Bar in friendly Pickwick, Minnesota. It’s not a very rowdy establishment, but sometimes Hank has to keep an eye on Father O’Malley. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Father (fishing shack) | Male 35 - 42 Years old |
Description It’s a cold winter morning - this father and son are checking upon their fishing shack, only to find it occupied by strangers who are fast asleep. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Son (fishing shack) | Male 8 - 12 Years old |
Description This young fellow is looking forward to a day of ice-fishing with his dad - he’s a little surprised to see their fishing shack occupied! ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Dave's Mom | Female 52 - 61 Years old |
Description White. Since Dave’s wife passed away, his mother has been helping baby-sit his daughters. She’s more than happy to help Dave out and adores her grand-daughters. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Boy (gorilla enclosure) | Male 5 - 7 Years old |
Description Between games at the Cincinnati bonspiel, Dave takes his daughters to the zoo. He sees this young fellow trying to get a better look at the gorillas - so he lifts him up over the railing! PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Dave's Daughter #1 | Female 7 - 9 Years old |
Description Dave’s younger daughter adores her father and is so proud of him! ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | Dave's Daughter #2 | Female 10 - 12 Years old |
Description Dave’s older daughter is still grieving the loss of her mother, but seeing her Dad so happy has taken the edge of some of her own sadness. ...Actor role without dialogue scripted. PLEASE INCLUDE DATE of BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION. | ||