A Seattle police detective and the leader of the entire race of vampires will be duking it out on Whidbey Island this month.
Throw in a sultry enchantress, a junkie pimp, a loving wife, a vampire slayer and some guy named Mr. Tingle, and you’re got yourself a fray of epic proportions.
There to help capture the action will be long-time Oak Harbor resident Shawn Cain, a standup comedian and filmmaker. He wrote and is co-producing “Loved Ones,” a vampire movie that will be filmed on Whidbey and in Skagit County May 7 through 16.
“It’s not bad for a guy who lives right down the street,” Cain said.
It’s going to be scary stuff, though Cain said the story will rely on a spooky plot and character development instead of special effects and sleaze.
“But, be forewarned,” the film’s synopsis states. “If you are faint of heart or pregnant, do NOT watch this movie — it will disturb you.”
Cain is probably best known for writing, producing and directing a one-man show, “Up the Kilt,” for former professional wrestler, Rowdy Roddy Piper. Cain said he wrote the screenplay of “Loved Ones” for his wrestling pal, but Piper is in poor health.
Instead, Cain said he’s lined up some pretty notable actors to star in the film, which will cost about $200,000 to make. The average person probably won’t recognize the names, but the faces may be more familiar. Daniel Roebuck, the lead, has an extensive filmography, including “U.S. Marshals,” “The Devil’s Rejects” and appearances in such TV shows as “Lost,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “NCIS,” “Bones,” “Nash Bridges” and many others.
Other stars include Chuck Williams, who appears in “Girls Next Door”; Camden Toy, who was a regular on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”; and Duane Whitaker from “Pulp Fiction” and “From Dusk till to Dawn 2.”
All of the stars will be staying at the Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor during the filming.
“It’s really kind of cool that I’m in the position to make this movie and let some pretty heavy hitters see this area,” Cain said.
The film is made through the production company, Cain-Diaz Films, that Cain started with his partner, local resident Rick Diaz.
“We’re basically a struggling, small film company with great stories that have a lot of dialogue,” he said.
The partners’ first film was “Kiss from the Grave,” a crime thriller filmed in Burlington. Cain said it was well received by critics and opened a lot of doors for the duo. Cain said he has recently discussed filmmaking with the likes of such horror masters as Wes Craven and George Romero.
As for “Loved Ones,” Cain said it will go straight to DVD at Blockbuster. He said it will also be included in the SciFi Channel’s “8 Films to Die For, Halloween edition.”
“Teenagers will love it,” he said, “though I wouldn’t let a 13-year-old see it.”
The excitement won’t end there. Cain said he’s in contact with Christian Slater, Keith Carradine and other stars about making other movies on Whidbey.
You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.
