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Key Points

Dylan O'Brien joins the cast of Apple's "Being Heumann," playing a reporter covering the 1977 disability rights protests. Ruth Madeley stars as activist Judy Heumann, while Mark Ruffalo plays a hesitant government official. The film, directed by Sian Heder, highlights the historic 28-day sit-in demanding accessibility rights. O'Brien is also set to appear in upcoming thrillers "Ponyboi" and "Send Help."

Key Points: Dylan O'Brien Joins Ruth Madeley in Apple's Being Heumann Film

  • Dylan O'Brien plays reporter Evan White in the disability rights drama
  • Ruth Madeley stars as activist Judy Heumann
  • Mark Ruffalo portrays HEW Secretary Joseph Califano
  • Directed by Sian Heder under Apple Studios
2 min read

Dylan O'Brien joins cast of 'Being Heumann'

Dylan O'Brien joins Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in Apple's adaptation of Judy Heumann's memoir about the 1977 disability rights protests.

"The protestors quickly form a tightly bound community, refusing to leave until the government enforces section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. – Deadline"

Washington DC, June 12

Actor Dylan O'Brien is set to star alongside Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in 'Being Heumann', Apple's adaptation of the bestselling memoir from disability activist Judy Heumann, reported Deadline

O'Brien will play Evan White, one of the few reporters covering the San Francisco disability rights protests that are central to the tale, in the film directed by Sian Heder. As previously revealed, Madeley plays the title role. At the same time, Ruffalo portrays Joseph Califano, President Jimmy Carter's Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who was initially hesitant to sign off on civil rights legislation impacting the crippled population.

'Being Heumann' follows Heumann as she leads over a hundred disabled people to take over the San Francisco Federal Building, kicking off a 28-day sit-in in 1977. The protestors quickly form a tightly bound community, refusing to leave until the government enforces section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which required all federal spaces to become accessible, according to Deadline.

Hailing from Apple Studios, Being Heumann will be directed by Heder, under her overall deal with Apple, from her script written with Rebekah Taussig. David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge, Face/Off) will produce for Permut Presentations alongside Kevin Walsh (Napoleon, Manchester by the Sea), whose The Walsh Company is under an overall deal with Apple.

At this year's Sundance Film Festival, O'Brien premiered Twinless, a dark comedy in which he executive produces and stars. The film won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award.

Months later, the film was acquired by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, who will distribute it in theatres on September 5. Other upcoming projects for O'Brien include the 2024 Sundance thriller Ponyboi (in select theatres June 27) and the Sam Raimi-directed horror flick Send Help, which will be released on June 20th and stars Rachel McAdams.

Also coming off a critically praised turn as Dan Aykroyd in Jason Reitman's Saturday Night, as well as the M. Night Shyamalan-produced Caddo Lake, for which he was nominated for a Gotham Television Award, O'Brien is repped by WME, Principal Entertainment, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, reported Deadline.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya K.
Exciting to see Dylan in this meaningful role! Disability rights movements don't get enough attention in mainstream cinema. Hope this film creates awareness globally 🌍. As an Indian, I wish we had more such stories from our own disability activists like Javed Abidi.
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Rahul S.
Interesting casting choice. Dylan usually does action/thriller roles - good to see him branching out. The 1977 protest sounds intense! Makes me wonder about similar movements in India during the 70s that we don't learn about in history books.
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Ananya M.
While I appreciate Hollywood telling these stories, I wish Indian filmmakers would adapt stories of our own disability rights champions. We have so many inspiring figures like Sudha Chandran or Arunima Sinha whose biopics would be amazing!
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Vikram J.
Mark Ruffalo as a government official? That's some interesting casting! The story sounds powerful - 28 day sit-in is no joke. Hope they do justice to the real activists' struggles. Accessibility is still a huge issue in India too - our metro systems need to learn from this history.
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Shreya P.
Dylan O'Brien is such an underrated actor! Loved him in Maze Runner. Glad he's choosing meaningful projects now. The disability rights movement deserves more spotlight 👏 Hope this film gets released in India too - we need more awareness about accessibility issues here.
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Karan D.
Respectfully, while the story is important, I hope they don't make the disabled activists into inspiration porn. These were real people fighting for basic rights, not feel-good stories. The trailer will show if they got the tone right. Fingers crossed!

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