Illness delays movie debut for Dennis Hopper's son

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - "Jumper" star Max Thierot will replace Henry Lee Hopper as the lead in Wes Craven's tentatively titled horror thriller "25/8."

There were no creative differences between Craven and Dennis Hopper's son, who was set to make his screen debut as one of seven teens haunted by a killer who supposedly died when they were born. The 17-year-old actor contracted an illness common to fellow teens: mononucleosis.

"Wes said he was thinking about pushing the film back but couldn't because of the possible actors strike," said Hopper, who left the project a week ago and will enjoy time with his friends in California during their last summer home before college. "I saw (Thierot's) audition, and he's a talented guy, really flexible, which fulfills the needs of the role."

Newcomers Nick Lashaway, John Magaro and Paulina Olszynski have also joined the cast of the Rogue Pictures project, and Raul Esparza is in talks to play the film's serial killer.

Magaro reportedly beat out teen star Jesse McCartney for his role, in part because Craven wanted mostly unknown actors to give the film an authentic feel.

Lashaway will play a bully, Magaro will play Thierot's comic sidekick, and Olszynski will play a popular beauty among the small-town characters. Denzel Whitaker ("The Great Debaters"), Shareeka Epps ("Half Nelson) and Emily Meade round out the cast. Principal photography is set to begin this month in Connecticut.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter