David Carradine's death sets back indie project

By Etan Vlessing

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - The death of actor David Carradine has forced a recasting of what was to be his next project, the independent drama "Portland," on the eve of principal photography in Portland, Ore., Los Angeles and along the Pacific coast.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time," executive producers Adrian Salpeter and Elizabeth Levine of Vancouver-based Random Bench Prods. said in a statement.

Carradine, who was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room this week, was to co-star in the feature about a trio of damaged souls who are connected by the death of a young wanderer. The ensemble cast includes Erin Daniels, Jonathan Caouette ("Tarnation"), Steven Martini, Renee Victor and Alex Schemmer.

Writer-director Matthew Mishory is at the helm of the U.S.-U.K.-Canada production.