The New World is set against the backdrop of the real discovery of America - in the 17th Century Jamestown, Virginia settlement where the culture of European explorers collided with that of Native Americans. It was in this wild new frontier that English explorer John Smith (Farrell) developed a relationship with a young Indian princess named Pocahontas that put them each at odds with their own worlds and set the destiny of the Americas.
Studi will play the role of Pocahontas' uncle Opechancanough. Schellenberg will portray Pocahontas' father Powhatan, the great Indian Emperor. Trujillo is set to play Powhatan's interpreter Tomocomo, and Greyeyes has been cast as Wobblehead, a member of Powhatan's tribe.
An accomplished actor of Cherokee descent, Studi has appeared in such films as "Dances With Wolves," "The Last of the Mohicans," and in the title role of "Geronimo: An American Legend." Most recently, he has appeared in a number of television productions including The Lone Ranger, Coyote Waits, and Edge of America.
Over the course of a career that has spanned three decades, Schellenberg has appeared in such films as the "Free Willy" series, as well as on television in "High Noon," "Crazy Horse," and "The Siege at Ruby Ridge" among others. He is a descendant of the Mohawk tribe.
Trujillo is a descendant of the French Canadian Ute tribe. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for his work as host and narrator of the PBS series "Dancing." He has appeared in such television productions as "La Femme Nikita" and "Sisters and Other Strangers" and can also been seen in a number of independent features including the upcoming "The Blue Butterfly" opposite William Hurt.
A descendant of the Plains Cree Tribe, Greyeyes is best known for his work in a number of popular television series including "Charmed," "Walker, Texas Ranger," and the mini-series "Dreamkeeper." On the big screen, he has been seen in "Sunshine State," "Smoke Signals," and "Zig Zag" among others. Greyeyes is also a founding member of the American Indian Dance Theatre.
"The New World" is being produced by Sarah Green ("Frida," "Girlfight," "State & Main") and is scheduled for a July production start in Virginia. The project is being overseen by New Line Cinema production president Toby Emmerich and executive vp Mark Ordesky.
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