Ocean Vuong’s debut novel is being turned into a movie

Casting is officially underway for A24's film adaptation of Ocean Vuong’s acclaimed novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, with a public search launched this week for two key teenage roles. The project is being cast by Jennifer Venditti, who earned a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2022 for her work on Euphoria and is known for feature credits that include Uncut Gems.

Published in 2019, Vuong’s debut became an instant bestseller and was longlisted for the National Book Award. The novel is written in an epistolary form as a letter from a son to his Vietnamese mother, blending autobiography and fiction to explore themes of queerness, migration, family trauma and first love. 

The production is seeking Vietnamese male talent between the ages of 18 and 25 for the role of Little Dog, also referred to as LD. The character is a 17-year-old Vietnamese American teenager who is described as queer, soft-spoken, sensitive and poetic. Applicants must be at least 18 and able to speak intermediate Vietnamese.

Casting is also open for the role of Trevor, a 17-year-old white American teen who plays a central part in Little Dog’s coming-of-age story. The breakdown describes him as free-spirited, raw and expressive. Submissions are open to white male talent, ages 18-25.

For both roles listed, trained actors and non-actors may apply, and candidates can be based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Australia. The roles are a paid opportunity if cast.