The Inside Scoop on Amy Redford's Strategic Casting for What Comes Around: Unveiling the Celeb Power Couple's Son in a Surprising Twist!

Amy Redford discussed casting Summer Phoenix's son Indiana, whom she shares with her ex Casey Affleck, in the film What Comes Around. The director, 52, revealed during an exclusive interview with star Grace Van Dien that they auditioned several people for the role, ultimately selecting Indiana because of his heartfelt portrayal of a young teenage boy, which provided a counterbalance to the character Jesse played by Kyle Gallner. This decision was made prior to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike.

She expressed her appreciation for the familiarity everyone had with the schedule. It was a valuable advantage, but ultimately, their contributions determined their success. In turn, Van Dien, 26, commended Phoenix, 44, for the unwavering support she provided both during filming and in their personal lives.

“Summer is absolutely fantastic. I adore her immensely. She graciously invited me to reside with her during the filming process [and] I found it to be an effortless experience portraying her daughter,” the actress joyfully expressed to Us. “My relationship with my own mother is not particularly strong. Hence, I find it remarkably seamless to slip into roles that involve maternal figures. Summer is simply an enchanting individual to be around. Undoubtedly, this is the most harmonious project I have ever been fortunate enough to be involved in, in terms of interpersonal dynamics and camaraderie.”

Beth (played by Summer Phoenix) faces challenges in the movie "What Comes Around" when her daughter, Anna (portrayed by Van Dien), begins conversing with an older man named Eric (played by Gallner) on the internet. Additionally, Indiana plays the role of Anna's friend who has feelings for her. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022.

Redford was able to bring Scott Organ's play, The Thing With Feathers, to life on the big screen. Organ had sent the play to Redford in hopes of collaborating, as Redford had admired Organ's previous work. Recognizing the potential of the play as a film, Redford conveyed his enthusiasm to Organ, stating that the themes presented in the play would be even more impactful onscreen. Redford acknowledged that adapting a play into a film can be challenging, particularly with Organ's skillful craftsmanship in writing dialogue. It requires precision in determining what elements to remove without compromising the overall connection and coherence, especially when working across different genres.

Grace Van Dien as “Anna”, and Summer Pheonix as “Beth” in ‘What Comes Around’ Courtesy of IFC Films

What Comes Around, featuring Jesse Garcia, Reina Hardesty, and Sierra Nicole Rose, is a coming-of-age film tackling issues like toxic online culture, intricate family dynamics, and grooming. Redford prioritized allowing the audience to form their own opinion on the movie's message.

“I don't want to dictate what people should or should not feel. It's an invitation to explore their own clarity, honesty, and the consequences of not taking responsibility for their actions, which can have unforeseen negative effects," she expressed to Us. "As a mother, the thought that something I did in my younger years could impact the lives of my children is truly terrifying. Part of this is about ending the cycle of manipulation that is passed down through generations. Additionally, understanding that although facing the truth may be painful initially, it is far less painful than having to confront it when it has grown overwhelmingly over time."

What Comes Around will be released in select theaters and will also be available on VOD starting Friday, August 4.