Ricky Schroder and Darrin Henson to star in ‘Blood Done Sign My Name’

Ricky Schroder and Darrin Dewitt Henson have been tapped to star in writer-director Jeb Stuart’s indie film “Blood Done Sign My Name,” based on the book by Tim Tyson that follows the true story of the murder and aftermath of a black Vietnam vet in 1970 in Oxford, N.C.

Schroder will play Rev. Vernon Tyson, while Henson will play Eddie McCoy. The film, which is in production in North Carolina, is produced by Stuart through his Real Folk Prods. as well as Mari Stuart and Mel Efros.

Schroder is repped by Innovative and the Hofflund Co.; Henson is with Innovative and Adam Griffin of Kritzer Levine Wilkins.

Heath Ledger’s death shuts down Gilliam’s ‘Parnassus’

Heath Ledger’s death has caused production on Terry Gilliam’s indie film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus to temporarily shut down.

Variety reports Ledger’s death has left Gilliam’s “Parnassus” film with the option of replacing the actor, shooting around him, or abandoning the film completely. The film (which is set for a $30 million budget) is being produced by Samuel Hadida, Bill Vince and Amy Gilliam.

It is largely financed through Hadida’s Paris-based Davis Film, and Ledger’s involvement on the project was said to be a key to getting the money for the film.

Ledger was one of the biggest names signed to the film – which also includes Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole and Tom Waits. The film’s plot follows an ancient traveling show that goes to modern London with a magic mirror with the ability to take its audience into fantastical realms of the imagination.

Plummer had signed for the role of Dr. Parnassus, and Ledger had taken the role of the mysterious outsider who joins the troupe on a quest through parallel worlds to save the doctor’s daughter (Cole) from the devil (Waits)