Ben Winchell and Ana Villafañe join Dolphin Films’ EFM project and Mattel adaptation Max Steel.

Ben Winchell and Ana Villafañe have joined Dolphin Films’ EFM project and Mattel adaptation Max Steel.

Lead actor Winchell, who starred in the Disney shows A.N.T. Farm and Necessary Roughness, will play Max McGrath, the boy who teams up with his alien companion Steel to become the titular hero.

Villafañe, who has appeared in the feature Hiding and TV series Los Americans, is cast as McGrath’s love interest Sydney Gardner.

Newly launched Dolphin Films International will introduce the project to buyers in Berlin and has struck an alliance with IM Global, who will provide a suite of services including sales, marketing and legal  support. 

The partners will present the property in an exclusive presentation today (Feb 6).

Open Road Films will release the film in the US in 2015. Dolphin Films and Mattel are producing. Stewart Hendler directs from a screenplay by Christopher Yost.