The Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment comedy will be released this summer.

The Walking Dead Live: The Finale Event - Arrivals

The Walking Dead Live: The Finale Event – Arrivals / Timothy Norris/GettyImages

Deadline has exclusive updates for The Duel, the latest film starring Dylan Sprouse and Walking Dead actor Callan McAuliffe.


The R-rated dramedy was written and directed by Justin Matthews (The Morning Show) and Luke Spencer Roberts (Upgraded) and will be Sprouse’s first experience as an executive producer. Additional producers for the film include Zach Spicer, Gordan Strain, Joe Matthews, and Justin Matthews.

Sprouse had this to say about the movie and his EP debut:

“I couldn’t be more proud of the film we created. In the past I’ve been reluctant to attach myself unless I wholeheartedly believed in the project, and The Duel was exactly that for me. I believe this marks the beginning of a long-lasting collaboration with the immensely talented Justin Matthews, Luke Roberts, and Zach Spicer and look forward to bringing more projects to the wonderful state of Indiana.”

– Dylan Sprouse

The story follows Woody (McAuliffe) who discovers his best friend Colin (Sprouse) is sleeping with his girlfriend. To defend his honor, Woody decides the best way to deal with the situation is by bringing back the antiquated gentlemanly tradition of the duel. Their friend group becomes involved with an eccentric shop owner, a cocaine dealer, and a pig, which takes them on a bizarre journey across the border to a stunning estate shrouded in mystery.

The Duel will be released on July 31, in partnership with Iconic Events, for one night in theaters. Tickets will be available through Iconic Events beginning June 26.

The Duel cast:

Dylan Sprouse
Callan McAuliffe
Patrick Warburton (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
Denny Love (Looking for Alaska)
Hart Denton (Riverdale)
Rachel Matthews (Upgraded)
Maria Gabriela de Faria (upcoming Superman)
Christian McGaffney (Simon)
Ronald Guttman (Broadway’s Patriots)

Callan McAuliffe – other roles

Walking Dead fans remember McAuliffe as Alden, introduced in season 9. A former member of Negan’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) Saviors, Alden becomes a welcome addition to the Hilltop community. In the final season of the series, Alden experiences a horrific death, a story that wasn’t shown on screen. You can read it here.

During his career, he has had many great roles, including portraying a young Jay Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as an older Gatsby. The Australian actor starred in Rob Reiner’s Flipped, his first American feature.

McAuliffe has also appeared in Bomber: Terror of WWII, Big Sky, Summer Night, Hacker and more. Recently, he starred with Cristina Spruell in Prime Video’s About Him and Her. Set in 1989, the story follows two strangers whose phone lines are crossed, an occurrence experienced in the 80s and 90s landlines. The crossed lines lead to both characters experiencing a life-changing conversation.