Bradley Pennington, a business owner in Broken Bow, was recently featured in his first major motion picture acting role, which stars Mathew McConaughey and Kurt Russell. The Rivals of Amziah King, to be released in the U.S. on Aug. 21, was directed by Oklahoma native Andrew Patterson. The final scenes of the movie were wrapped up on the Lower Mountain Fork River. (Contributed photo)
by Tawsha Brinkley-Davenport
The movie industry continues to branch out more and more into the state of Oklahoma.
Recently, the movie “The Rivals of Amziah King,” starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell, wrapped up production in the area.
There were a few crucial scenes that needed to be filmed on the Lower Mountain Fork River.
The director, Andrew Patterson, and his production arrived to do just that.
Bradley Pennington, a local businessman and owner of County Trash Service, found himself cast in Patterson’s movie just because he was helping out, as he is always known for doing: “lending a helping hand when needed.”
It proves the adage: sometimes the best stories aren’t planned; they just happen.
Although his part in the film is a small one, it was one of those lifetime moments one tells their grandchildren about. Pennington definitely is going to “tell his grandson all about it, too,” he said.
Before coming to McCurtain County, the production crew was filming in Alabama.
“The problem they ran into in Alabama was the river at the location they were at got bacteria all throughout the water. They were forced to stop filming,” said Pennington.
The director, being from Oklahoma, contacted the Choctaw Nation. The story is based on a man from southeast Oklahoma. The movie is described as a revenge thriller set in the honeybee industry.
“He knew the Choctaw Nation would know who to contact in southeast Oklahoma about the river. They in turn told them about my brother Steve and me. My brother owns Lucky Dogs on the river,” said Pennington.
When the production crew arrived, Steve met them and toured them around different areas of the river.
“They ended up using Greg and Darla’s Wild Goose Canoe landing for their scene. They liked how the landing looked a lot,” said Pennington.
While on the Lower Mountain Fork River, the production crew came into some trouble filming at night because of the power generators.
“The generators began affecting the water levels in the river. That was when I was called in to help them overcome those challenges,” said Pennington.
Pennington helped to solve their problems so they could continue to film at night.
“I’m a lifelong outdoorsman, and I understand the river’s unique conditions. That knowledge helped the crew overcome the logistical issues they were having involving their river rafts. What began as technical assistance became something much more, though,” said Pennington.
The director and Pennington discovered they shared a passion for storytelling. Pennington told Patterson about his children’s book, Fresh Water, a story inspired by the rivers and lakes surrounding Broken Bow and Hochatown.
“I wrote the book to promote tourism in our area,” said Pennington.
Patterson loved the idea, according to Pennington. He presented him with a signed copy of Fresh Water, and he asked if he could take one for Matthew McConaughey, so Pennington signed a copy for the film star.
Then something unexpected happened. Patterson told Pennington he had an idea for a scene and asked if he would be willing to step in front of the camera.
“I told him I’d give it a shot. The last acting I’d done was playing the lead in my ninth-grade school play at Boswell High School.”
The director told him they would shoot the scene, but there was no guarantee it would make the cut.
Pennington was up for it. He was able to work alongside one of the actors, Angelina LookingGlass. They were handed their scripts and rehearsed the dialogue several times. After watching them perform together, Patterson encouraged them to forget the exact words in the script and act as they would naturally in that situation to improvise the scene.
“So, we did. He said he knew we understood what he was looking for. The director exclaimed the improvisation worked so well that the scene was completed in a single take,” said Pennington.
According to Pennington, because of their natural improvisation, the scene became a larger part of the film than was originally planned.
On the set, he talked the most to the actor LookingGlass, who his scene was with. The scene was about her being attacked on the river; she runs and finds Pennington. He knows who the bad guys are.
“My character’s name was Brad, coincidentally. The whole experience was just a lot of fun. Watching a major motion picture come together and getting to work with such talented people was something I’ll never forget,” said Pennington.
Before Pennington could be in the film, he had to fill out official Actors Guild paperwork. So, he is officially a member of the Actors Guild.
“I could also now join Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and have a card-carrying SAG card. Andrew told me it is a long process and the application fee is $2,000,” said Pennington
In the movie trailer, Pennington’s cousin Rusty Russell and his wife Chantell’s porch of their home on Craig Road in Broken Bow is shown. They filmed a big scene of the movie on their porch.
At Idabel, Pennington said they filmed several pieces of B-roll footage of abandoned buildings.
“When people view the movie, they will notice the Idabel buildings in the movie, like the one near Hill’s Nursing Home, the rock house that used to be a farm,” said Pennington.
Patterson personally messaged Pennington and told him his scene made the cut and was included in the film.
“Well, I was excited about it, truly. And I can’t wait to see it and see how everything looks. I hope it will be at the McCurtain Cinema at Idabel. I know eventually, after it is in theaters, it will be on the streaming stations. I hope everyone enjoys it. It was a great experience,” added Pennington.
The movie premiered last month in Austin, Texas, to good reviews.
“I was going to attend it, but the tickets were $11,000 apiece. It was at the South by Southwest Film Festival and a fundraiser,” said Pennington.
After Austin, it premiered in London, England, to critics praising it as well.
“One critic said that ‘the main cast is good, but the supporting cast is very authentic to the area’,” said Pennington.
Pennington laughed, “You know they were talking about me there,” he added.
Patterson is known for his debut film in 2019, “The Vast of Night,” which won the Slamdance Film Festival.
He began his career by creating the production company GED Media in Oklahoma City. Quickly, he found himself producing shorts for the Oklahoma City Thunder team.
When Patterson writes a script, it is under the pseudonym of James Montague. He was the co-writer on the award-winning film and the one Pennington is featured.
“The entire company was so nice and down-to-earth, respectable group. We enjoyed visiting with them. They were here for a week. They, I believe, enjoyed our area as well,” said Pennington.
Since the production has ended and the film is about to be released, Pennington has stayed in contact with the director and built a friendship.
For Pennington, the experience wasn’t just about appearing in a movie.
“It was another opportunity to share the beauty of southeastern Oklahoma with the world. One of the missions that has inspired me, from my children’s book to the businesses I have built. I enjoy serving the growing tourism industry here,” said Pennington.
