The Fabelmans: David Lynch Joins Cast Of New Steven Spielberg Drama

Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans has just added… err… David Lynch to its cast. According to Variety, the 76-year-old filmmaker is joining the likes of Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, and Paul Dano in Spielberg’s upcoming semi-autobiographical movie.

It’s not the sort of casting news you see every day, but Lynch’s role is apparently a “closely guarded secret.”

Although the plot of The Fabelmans remains under wraps, it’s said to be a semi-autobiographical movie, loosely based on Spielberg’s own childhood, growing up in Arizona. Since it’s a very personal affair, Spielberg will also be writing its script – the first time he’s penned a movie in 20 years.

Lynch joins an already impressive cast, featuring Seth Rogan in a role based on Spielberg’s “favorite uncle” while Michelle Williams plays a character based on Spielberg’s own mother. Newcomer Gabrielle LaBelle stars as aspiring filmmaker Sammy, a stand-in for Spielberg himself, while Julia Butters portrays his sister, Anne.

The cast also includes Judd Hirsch, Sam Rechner, Oakes Fegley, Chloe East, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Bartlett, Jonathan Hadary, and Isabelle Kusman.

The Fabelmans marks the first-ever collaboration between Spielberg and Lynch, who has picked up a fair few acting roles throughout his career. Known for his directing work, however, Lynch has made plenty of award-winning and critically acclaimed movies, including Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, The Straight Story, and Lost Highway. He also picked up eight Oscar nominations for his 1980 historical drama, The Elephant Man.
The Fabelmans is expected to be released later this year, on November 23, 2022.

Blogroll image credit: Getty Images / Steve Granitz

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.