Hollywood calls for Hershey with fresh movie on company’s chocolate history
Hershey's stand at this year's Sweets & Snacks in the US, with the company expecting at large presence at NACS. Pic: Neill Barston
The early history of the Hershey Company is set to be given big screen movie treatment, with filming having now started on the venture, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, writes Neill Barston.
Notably, the project from Mean Girls director Mark Waters, stars Finn Wittrock, who featured in the Big Short, as the company’s founder, Milton Hershey, with his wife Catherine played by Alexandra Daddario, of The White Lotus, alongside him in what is expected to be an insightful examination of the young confectioner’s first steps into creating one of the world’s largest enterprises.
The movie is being made in collaboration with Hershey Entities, and aims to bring to life the Hershey story, in which Milton recovers from early failures to deliver an iconic brand, as well as key contributions to the education and the community in setting up a school in his name.
There will a significant supporting cast, including former Ferris Bueller’s Day’s Off star Alan Ruck, Richard Kind and David Costabile from Breaking Bad, in the movie which is set to hit screens next year.
New Cast joining the Hershey Film (L-R) Alan Ruck (credit Andrzej Lawnik), Richard Kind (credit Lloydd Bishop), David Costabile (credit Peter Yang), and Heléne Yorke (credit Emilio Madrid).
According to Hershey, principal filming on the Dandelion Media production began in the middle of last month in Pittsburgh, with photography set to continue throughout this month in Hershey’s home state of Pennsylvania, which still serves as the global company’s HQ.
Furthermore, as the business explained, the ensemble also includes Michael Moreland Milligan (Chicago Fire) as longtime friend and business partner Harry “Lebbie” Lebkicher, Francesca Faridany (Manifest) as Fanny Hershey, Milton’s devoted mother, Daniel David Stewart (Catch-22) as William Murrie, and company’s trailblazing early general manager.
Though the business remains best known in the US as its founding nation, it has continued to gain a global following through its Reese’s brand that has delivered standout success for the business, which recently created a distinct European division for the company.
Commenting on the filming, director Mark Waters noted: “Pennsylvania gives us unique and rich locations that seem frozen in time, transporting us back to the turn of the century. Boasting well-preserved historic settings and stunning landscapes, the state is the perfect setting for recreating pivotal moments from the life and legacy of Milton Hershey.”
