Paramount Pictures release the inspirational ‘Mighty Oak’ – Influenced by the story of a real-life child prodigy

MIGHTY OAK tells the story of Gina (Janel Parrish, “Pretty Little Liars,” To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), a band manager who struggles after losing her brother/lead singer (Levi Dylan, 12 Mighty Orphans) in a fatal car accident while traveling to a gig.

A decade later, Gina meets a 10-year-old music prodigy named Oak, played by newcomer Tommy Ragen, a real-life prodigy whose music inspired the screenplay. Oak seems to possess the same qualities as Gina’s late brother, inspiring her to pull her life back together and try to reunite the band with Oak as its new front man

Synopsis:

Gina and Vaughn are the sister and brother duo taking the SoCal music scene by storm with their band Army of Love. Gina “Jean Jacket” Jackson (Janel Parrish) is behind the scenes as the savvy and determined music manager while her talented brother Vaughn Jackson (Levi Dylan) is the gifted frontman of their popular band.

On the night of their biggest break yet, the siblings’ bond is shattered when Vaughn is killed in a tragic car accident and Gina is unable to pick up the pieces of her life.

Ten years later, a 4th grade guitar prodigy named Oak Scoggins (Tommy Ragen) enters Gina’s orbit, and she becomes convinced that this child must be the reincarnation of Vaughn. While Oak does have Vaughn’s talent and some of his traits, Gina’s friends become concerned with her decision to re-launch their long dormant band with Oak as the frontman taking Vaughn’s place.

Oak comes from a disadvantaged household and as he is thrust into the spotlight, he finds that music is the perfect escape and the much needed outlet for his pain.  Gina in turn finds an outlet for her grief and a way back into living life out loud and to the fullest.

Watch the Movie Trailer for ‘Mighty Oak’ below

The Cast

Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars, To All The Boy I’ve Loved Before)

Born in Hawaii, Janel Parrish started in show business at the age of 6 on Broadway as Little Cosette in Les Miserables. From there, she discovered a love of television and film and ended up in Los Angeles. Parrish is best known for her role as Mona in the hit TV show Pretty Little Liars and for the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy film series. When not working on tv and film, Parrish loves returning to the stage when she can.

Raven-Symoné (That’s So Raven, Dr. Doolittle)

Raven-Symoné  is an American actress, singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer and producer. She began her career as a child actress, appearing as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Show and Nicole Lee on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. She now appears regularly on The Bold Type.

Tommy Ragen (Actor, SInger/Songwriter, Producer)

Ragen makes his film debut as Oak Scoggins. This musical prodigy lights up the screen with his innocence and honesty. At 9 years old Ragen was in the Broadway first national tour for School of Rock. Now, at just 11 years old, Tommy has released three studio albums and the soundtrack features many of Ragen’s original songs.

Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids, Nashville)

She became known worldwide in 2001 for her role as “Carmen Cortez” in Spy Kids. The first Spy Kids film was a huge success, and subsequently two sequels, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over were filmed. During the shooting of the three films, she performed most of her own stunts. In 2011, PenaVega appeared in the sequel, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World as a grown Carmen Cortez.

Carlos PenaVega (Big Time Rush, Spare Parts, Life Sentence)

Carlos Roberto PenaVega is an American actor and singer. He starred on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush as Carlos García, and was a member of the band Big Time Rush. He was also the host of the network’s game show Webheads.

Nana Ghana (What/If, White Rabbit)

Recognized by Entertainment Weekly and People magazine as among the “Ones to Watch” out of Sundance 2018 for her co-starring role in WHITE RABBIT, Writer/Director/Actor Nana Ghana has proven her ability to stand out both on and behind the camera. Her most recent work as Director, LA WOMAN RISING, is narrated and executive produced by Rosario Dawson was released theatrically in October 2019.

Rodney Hicks (Rent, Come From Away)

Rodney Hicks is best known as being a part of the Original Broadway casts of the Landmark Tony Award/Pulitzer Prize Musical RENT and the International hit COME FROM AWAY. He is also the playwright of FLAME BROILED, which had its World Premiere last Fall at Local Theater Company. Rodney has a host of recognizable TV credits to his name. For more info visit www.rodneyhicks.net

Gianna Harris (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock Broadway Musical)

Gianna “GiGi” Harris is a singer, stage and screen actress born and raised in NJ. Gigi is most notably known for her work in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway and Touring Production’s  “School of Rock the Musical.”  She neared 800 performances prior to her “graduation” from Horace Green.  

Other works include; “Working in Theater”, “I Have A Voice”, Sesame Street, “The O Clocks”,Good Morning America and the 70th Annual Tony Awards.Gigi is very passionate about mental health awareness and LGBTQ equality

Ben Milliken (Bosch, Blue Crush 2)

Born in Manchester, England, Ben was raised in Bilgola Beach located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Ben, then moved to Los Angeles where we quickly began landing roles in multiple film and television projects, including Universal’s “Blue Crush 2”. Most recently, Ben landed a role in season 5 of Amazon’s hit show “Bosch”

Levi Dylan (Grandson of music royalty Bob Dylan, son of Jakob Dylan, The Wallflowers, Echo in The Canyon)

Levi Dylan is an American artist, actor, musician, and fashion model who made his runway debut for Dolce & Gabbana’s fall show in 2017. Although he’s produced and acted in several short films and videos, Mighty Oak is Levi’s first role in a major motion picture. 

Not to mention, Levi also descends from music royalty. His father is Jakob Dylan, and grandfather is the legendary, Bob Dylan.

Julia Michaels (Music Supervisor – “A Star Is Born” and the “Pitch Perfect”)

The Masterminds behind the movie:

Writer: Matt Allen

Matt R. Allen is a screenwriter in California best known for the comedy, Four Christmases, as well as the family drama, Soul Surfer. After a string career successes (with former writing partner, Caleb Wilson), Matt was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor in September of 2013. Despite minor vision loss and vertigo, Matt was was able to start writing again, but without his longtime partner. By 2015, Matt had made a full recovery.

“Mighty Oak” is the first produced film Matt has written since recovering from his brain tumor.

Currently, he is collaborating on a television series with Academy Award winner Regina King and her ‘Royal Ties’ production company on a series for Netflix.

Director: Sean McNamara