SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL:

Luverne native, Bobby Tomberlin, is co-starring in the film, Wheeler, being released on Feb. 3 to select theatres and to Pay On Demand.

Actor Stephen Dorff stars in the film, portraying singer songwriter Wheeler Bryson from Kaufman, Texas, who takes a journey to Nashville. Dorff filmed under heavy makeup and prosthetics, provided by Oscar winning make up artist, Christien Tinsley and his team.

Kris Kristofferson also co-stars in the film. Tomberlin says that this film captures the journey of a dreamer in Nashville like no film in the past and there are interesting twists to Wheeler’s story.

Tomberlin also co-wrote three songs in the film, including the single, “Pour Me Out Of This Town”, that he co-wrote with Dorff and Dorff’s brother, Andrew, who passed away this past December.

Tomberlin co-produced the soundtrack album with Dorff, available on one of Hollywood’s biggest soundtrack record labels Varese Sarabande, and shared executive film producer duties with the legendary Mickey Raphael, harmonica player for Willie Nelson since the mid 70’s.

Tomberlin plays himself in the film and says the film is being released to numerous theaters in big markets including L. A., San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix and Seattle, but the film will be available on Pay On Demand in smaller cities and towns. It will eventually be available on cable networks, Netflix and will be available to rent.

Momentum Pictures is the film’s distributor. Tomberlin says that this project was an exciting new challenge and is one of the highlights of his career. Tomberlin says to work with a talent like Dorff is a dream come true.

Dorff has starred in over 50 films, including Blade, Public Enemies, World Trade Center and The Immortals. He has co-starred with Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Reese Witherspoon, Susan Sarandon, Johnny Depp and numerous other film icons.

Dorff’s father is legendary composer Steve Dorff, who contributed to the film’s score. The film is directed by Ryan Ross and features other Nashville songwriters, musicians, executives and talent. The movie was also filmed in Texas and Malibu, California.

There was recently a premier of the film in Nashville and New York City and there will be an L. A. premier this week. Tomberlin has joined Dorff to promote the film on numerous occasions and will appear with Dorff on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman this week to perform a couple of songs from the film’s soundtrack.