Justin Long has joined the cast of "Nasty," the drama that already counts Jenna Ortega and Rose Byrne among its leads, according to an exclusive report. The project, directed by Breah Stevens, centers on Skylar, a young woman left to fend for herself after a tragic accident claims her parents. What follows is described as a rollercoaster of love, betrayal, and revenge, with Skylar's world steadily coming apart. The film runs 87 minutes and was released on December 8, 2022.
The casting news arrives well after the movie's initial release, a detail that shapes how the announcement should be read. "Nasty" is an English-language Hollywood production, and its release date puts it several years in the past relative to today. Stevens directed from a story built around Skylar's downward spiral, with Elizabeth Foxx playing the central role. The ensemble also includes Daniel Fernando Acosta as Hostage, Tramell Arnold as Juan, Jamerio Clark as Thirsty, Alphonso Settles as Rob, June Shelton as Ant, Delano Anderson as Trap Guy 1, and David Gillespie as Trap Guy 2.
Long's addition to the lineup gives the film a familiar comedic and dramatic presence alongside Ortega and Byrne, both of whom have become steadily more prominent in Hollywood. The pairing of Ortega and Byrne alone would draw attention; inserting Long into that mix changes the texture of the cast on paper. It is not yet clear which role Long will take, and no further details about his part were included in the announcement.
A Release That Predates the Headline
The timeline is the most unusual element of the story. A film that opened in December 2022 is now making news for a casting addition, which suggests the announcement may relate to a new version of the project, a re-release, or a separately mounted production sharing the same title and director. The verified details describe a completed 87-minute feature with a full cast list, so the news does not read like a standard pre-production hiring notice. Readers should treat the scope of Long's involvement as unconfirmed until more information emerges.
What is confirmed is the film's core premise. Skylar, played by Foxx, loses her parents in an accident and is left alone to navigate a story that moves through romance, deception, and retaliation. The title, "Nasty," signals the tone the filmmakers are reaching for, and the supporting character names, among them Hostage and a pair of Trap Guys, hint at a crime-adjacent strain running beneath the relationship drama.
Cast and Reception
The film currently holds a 6 out of 10 rating on TMDb, a middling score that reflects a mixed response from users. That number is a snapshot rather than a verdict, but it places "Nasty" in the territory of titles that find their audience after the fact rather than on arrival.
Ortega and Byrne bring considerable name recognition to the project. Ortega has built a following through roles that blend horror, comedy, and teen drama, while Byrne has moved fluidly between prestige drama and broader commercial work for years. Long, known for comedies and for his willingness to appear in genre projects of varying scale, fits into an ensemble that already leans on performers comfortable with tonal shifts. Whether the three share substantial screen time is among the questions the announcement leaves open.
Stevens, who directed, remains the creative anchor of the piece. The film's short runtime, under ninety minutes, suggests a tight, propulsive structure rather than an expansive one, which suits a story built on betrayal and revenge. Foxx carries the lead as Skylar, and the arc belongs to her character; the higher-profile names around her are supporting players in a narrative that keeps its focus on one young woman's unraveling.
For now, the Long news is a single confirmed name attached to a film whose release history complicates the usual casting narrative. More details about his role, and about what exactly this announcement represents, are likely to follow. Hollywood Buzz News will update this story as information becomes available.
Source: Hollywood Reporter