PLAYING GOD - HANNAH KASULKA and LUKE BENWARD INTERVIEWS

A brother and sister con-artist team? What could go wrong? Plenty when they try to pull of the ultimate con when they bring God into the mix!

In Scott Brignac’s new thriller/dark comedy “Playing God,” opening Aug. 6 in theaters and digital platforms, itwo sibling con artists ( Hannah Kasulka and Luke Benward) attempt to pull off the swindle of their lives by duping a Jeff Bezos-like moneybags into believing he’s talking to God.

The film stars Michael McKean (“Better Call Saul,” “This Is Spinal Tap”), Alan Tudyk (“Arrested Development,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) and Marc Menchaca (“Ozark,” “The Outsider”). McKean is “God,” or, rather, the bowling-alley-operating ex-con whom Micah (Luke Benward) and Rachel (Hannah Kasulka) recruit to help pull off their scam. Tudyk is the lonely billionaire, jetting around the world on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. And Menchaca plays one of the reasons Micah and Rachel are staging this stunt; they owe him a lot of money — and he’s a very impatient man.

Writer/Director Scott Brignac says that “Playing God” was inspired by a conversation he had with his then-5-year-old daughter who was curious about God. He then started thinking about what it would be like if we actually could talk to God and what would we ask for? Then he started to think about writing the script for “Playing God”. and came up with the concept of two con artists preying on someone’s vulnerability.

Hannah Kasulka was born and raised in Macon, GA. Hannah has appeared in several films and series such as The Rookie and Modern Family. She is best known for playing the possessed lead opposite Geena Davis in The Exorcist. In addition to being an accomplished actress, Hannah is foraying into writing and directing. She is currently developing several projects including an action-comedy feature starring André 3000 and a dark comedic series based off an original IP with Beano Studios in the UK. You can find her on Instagram @hannahkasulka or tik tok @redneckgoop.

 Luke Benward has built a canon of work in both film and television. Luke is well known for his romantic roles in “Life of the Party” (Warner Bros.) opposite Melissa McCarthy, and     “Dumplin” (Netflix) with Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Anniston along with “Measure of a Man” with Luke Wilson, Donald Sutherland and Liana Liberato. 

 Luke’s film, “Grand Isle,” released last year and on SVOD now, finds him starring opposite Nicolas Cage and Kelsey Grammer in the Bayou suspense thriller filled with seduction and danger. In 2021, Luke will be seen starring in the Indie film “WILDCAT” opposite Georgina Campbell, (“Black Mirror”) a film that follows a reporter and a wounded Marine who are taken captive in the Middle East. The film is distributed by Saban.

 Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Luke comes from an artistic family: his mother is an actress, and his father is a musician. At the young age of six, Luke booked the role of Mel Gibson’s son in “We Were Soldiers” opposite Taylor Momsen (“Gossip Girl.”) Luke then started to land the lead roles in pilots and films. Benward has played memorable roles in major films including: “Because of Winn Dixie,” “How to Eat Fried Worms,” and “Dear John.” A favorite at Disney and with their audiences, Luke has starred in Disney Channel Original Movies “Minutemen,” “Cloud 9,” and “Girl Vs. Monster.” 

When not on set, Benward spends his time playing basketball, football, and has recently started picking up golf. He also enjoys writing and playing video games. On the charity front, he has supported Saving Innocence (founded by a friend of his family), Thirst Project, and the TJ Martell Foundation. Benward currently resides in Los Angeles but makes sure to visit Nashville every year to see friends and family. 

I spoke with Hannah and Luke about playing con artist siblings and working on the film with veteran actors Michael McKean and Alan Tudyk.

The interviews can be watched in the playlist below.