Abilene-based film ‘Accidental Texan’ releases in 30 states across the nation

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – In 1999, McMurry professor Cole Thompson saw the publishing of his book Chocolate Lizards, a tale loosely based on his time as a West Texas oil drilling roughneck in Abilene. Now, a film by the name Accidental Texan is debuting, and he will get to see his love letter to the Big Country released on a national scale.

The film is set to debut in more than 30 states on Friday, March 8. Thompson told KTAB/KRBC this is not his success alone, but that of a large group of dedicated creatives.

“I mean, yes, I wrote the original story… There’s been many people [who] have a hand in what we see now,” Thompson said. “When you watch a movie, you see all those credits rolling and all those names, there’s a reason for that.”

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One of the first to join in on his vision was the films now screenwriter and producer Julie Denny. She and Thompson met in the early 90s, and she was reportedly taken with the story he had to tell.

“To know that miracles can happen and people can come into your life and it can change your life… Cole called me and told me he was getting it published, and I was like, ‘congratulations, let me turn it into a movie. I know exactly how I want to do it,'” Denny recalled.

The script has gone through more than a few changes since then, but the same West Texas tale prevails.

Academy Award nominees Thomas Haden Church (Heaven is For Real, Easy A, George of the Jungle) plays Merle, and Bruce Dern (The Great Gatsby, The ‘Burbs, The Hateful Eight) stars as Scheermeyer. The two big-name actors signed on to star alongside Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix, Memento), who plays Faye, and up-and-coming actor Rudy Pankow (The Outer Banks) playing Erwin Vandeveer.

Denny and Thompson told KTAB/KRBC it was a humbling experience to see the characters they’d grown to love so much portrayed by such talented actors.

“I identify with Erwin, and you know, what a joy for Rudy Pankow to kind of play me. I get to have hair again, just magnificent hair. It’s fantastic,” Thompson joked.

The titular “Chocolate Lizards” are a style of boots given from Merle to Erwin to symbolize his newfound identity, as well as Merle’s acceptance of the past and willingness to grow. Thompson said the story is very dear to him, though he had no problem giving it over to Denny to bring it to the screen.

“She really added something from her own life… I cried when I saw it. We were driving back home and I texted her, and I said, ‘now it’s our story,'” shared Thompson.

One major change came just this year. Where the book was set in Abilene and partially Fort Worth, young Erwin now finds himself in Buffalo Gap, with Abilene taking the place of Fort Worth in the narrative. Although the film was actually shot in Bartlett, Texas just outside of Austin, many Key City locations are featured throughout.

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