A trio of performers have joined the cast of sports feature Smudge the Blades from writer-director Cody Lightning.
Ed Helms (The Hangover), Paulina Alexis (Reservation Dogs) and Jana Schmieding (Rutherford Falls) star alongside Lightning. Production recently began in Edmonton, Canada, with the film aiming to hit the 2026 festival circuit.
Smudge the Blades centers on the Treaty 6 Blades, an under-18 reservation hockey team hoping to make the most of the members’ final year of eligibility amid their violent league in northern Alberta.
“Rez hockey in Canada is bigger than high school football in Texas,” says Lightning, known for his role on Marvel’s Echo. “I’m so honored to have this incredible cast to bring to life the experiences of Indigenous hockey players, on and off the ice.”
The film underwent a wide casting effort for the young Indigenous hockey players. Landing key roles on the team were Treycen Wuttunnee, Isaiah Kakepetum, River Rayne Thomas, Elijah James Lee Moar, Ezekiel James Mekanek and Tyler Halcrow, who round out the cast as the Treaty 6 Blades. Lightning stars as Willie Gladue, the Zamboni driver who ends up coaching the team while eyeing the affection of the hockey mom played by Schmeiding.
Smudge the Blades marks the second feature for Lightning following his directorial debut Hey, Viktor!, a mockumentary that premiered in 2023 at Tribeca and later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie landed three Canadian Screen Awards nominations.
Producers for Smudge the Blades include Samuel Miller, Joshua Jackson, Kyle Thomas, Sara Corry, Hayley Morin and Dylan Morin. Hailing from Ice Pirates Productions Inc, the film is executive produced by Helms and Mike Falbo for Pacific Electric Picture Company. Brett Harris oversees the movie for Pacific Electric.
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