EXCLUSIVE: Director Nikhil Melnechuk has wrapped production in Texas on his debut feature, the bull riding drama Daisy. Cast set in the pic, described as an underdog sports story, includes Melissa Jackson (The Easy Kind), Abigail Cowen (Fate: The Winx Saga), Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Nashville) and Adam Huber (Dynasty).

Written by Melnechuk and Jackson, the film tells the story of Daisy (Jackson), a Latina orphan living and working as a cowgirl on a bucking bull ranch in Texas. Daisy’s always been treated as less-than by her domineering boss Mrs. Koehl (Wheeler-Nicholson). When her rodeo star twin brother gets paralyzed, his spitfire bull rider girlfriend Tam (Cowen) convinces Daisy to train and take her brother’s place in a high-stakes championship. Determined to get her shot, Daisy catches the attention of washed-up pro rider Guy (Huber), who becomes her coach. Sparks fly, but there are snakes everywhere. Betrayed by those closest to her and a newcomer to the sport, Daisy must find the strength to ride.
Developed with Duke Largo (Cowgirls), a pioneer in women’s bull and bronc riding, Daisy features appearances by bull riders Billi Halverson, Jordan Halvorsen, Adam Lucero, and Chase Outlaw. Others in the cast include Brad Leland (Deepwater Horizon), Tanner Beard (We Summon the Darkness), Barron Boedecker (Queen of the Ring), Bonner Bolton (The Longest Ride), Lisa Fairchild (W.), Harper Heath (Love & Death), Todd Jenkins (The Channel), Kamen Kasey (Black Adam), Billie D. Merritt (Tazmanian Devil), Crawford Wilson (Sugar Mountain), Danny Williams-Lopez (Breakwater), country artist Tyler Rich, and singer-songwriter Morgan Wade.

The production is led by Mystic Entertainment’s Melnechuk and Jackson, along with Tomik Mansoori and Lane Cheek of Silver Sail Entertainment. Exec producers include George B. Boedecker, Jr., Matt Cheney, Gerald & Theresa Thompson, Beard of Silver Sail Entertainment, Peter Gilbert, and Anita La Cava Swift — John Wayne’s granddaughter, who makes a rare cameo appearance. Matthew Glasner and Beth Sepko handled casting, with Movie Animals Protected overseeing animals.

Said Melnechuk in a statement to Deadline, “From the 1800s to today, women have been central to rodeo history. Films just haven’t told enough cowgirl stories. We’re honored to have the support of cowgirls and cowboys alike to make “Daisy” authentic to the rodeo world they know, and to have the chance to bring our out-of-towner perspective so that the film is for everyone who likes to root for the underdog.”

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