The Freemason premiere December 7 in Salt Lake City

The Freemason premieres Saturday December 7 at the Gateway Megaplex in Salt Lake City, UT. Tickets are available for only $6.75 for 5pm and 7:30pm MT screenings. In between, beginning at 6:30pm will be red carpet pictures and socializing with cast and crew.  Details here. (Note: Sean is not expected to be there; he is filming in Toronto.)

Here are some high res images from the movie. Open in new window for larger versions. Many thanks to producer Joseph James for providing these exclusively to us!

Producer talks about Sean Astin's role in The Freemason

Sean Astin is not only the star of the upcoming masonic murder mystery "The Freemason," premiering December 7 in Salt Lake City, he also has executive producing credits. Producer Joseph James explains why.

Sean Astin as Detective Leon Weed

Official HD Trailer for The Freemason

A wealthy banker lies ritualistically and brutally murdered. 

The banker's daughter and only heir, Rana (Alex McKenna), calls upon Cyrus Rothwell (Randy Wayne), a brilliant but eccentric freelance writer, to assist in the investigation. 

Teaming up with veteran homicide detective Leon Weed (Sean Astin), they suddenly find themselves thrust into the cryptic world of Freemasonry- pitted against a killer searching for a legendary relic, shrouded by hundreds of years of myth and mystery. Freemasons Sheldon Lombard (Richard Dutcher) and Jericho Beck (Joseph James) decide to help Cyrus while teaching him about Masonic history, Rothwell's troubles multiply as he deduces the killer is one of the banker's close inner circle. With an inheritance of millions hanging in the balance, everyone is a suspect and every action perceived as motive. Rothwell's path becomes even more cloudy as his relationship with the beautiful heiress dances on the edge of charm and collusion. Cyrus begins to realize that if he does not solve the case soon he might be the next victim.

Cyrus is forced to come to grips with powers beyond his natural senses as well as his own mysterious past ties to Freemasonry in order to unmask the killer before they strike again.

Sean Astin does ADR for The Freemason

Sean Astin is currently in Toronto filming Guillermo Del Toro's FX pilot The Strain, but that doesn't stop him from working on other projects. Today he did additional dialog recording at Number 9 Audio Group for The Freemason, which was filmed in Salt Lake City last April.

Joseph James talks about Sean Astin's role in The Freemason

Joseph James, producer for "The Freemason," gave an interview to the Whence You Came website recently about the movie, which stars Sean Astin as homicide detective Leon Weed. James talks about how Sean's family connection to Freemasonry sparked his interest in the film, how Sean asked for executive producer credit, wrote and directed some of the scenes, added improvised humor, and "turned into a mad scientist on set."

The discussion of Sean's role begins at about 8:23. According to James, the trailer will be "released very soon," and the movie on November 4. Listen here:

Director Sohrab Mirmont with Sean Astin

The Freemason synopsis and photos

Post production work continues on The Freemason. Here is a new plot synopsis and some behind the scenes photos.

A wealthy banker lies ritualistically and brutally murdered.

The banker’s daughter and only heir, Rana (Alex McKenna), calls upon Cyrus Rothwell (Randy Wayne), a brilliant but eccentric writer, to assist in the investigation.

Teaming up with veteran homicide detective Leon Weed (Sean Astin), they suddenly find themselves thrust into the cryptic world of Freemasonry- pitted against a killer searching for a legendary relic, shrouded by hundreds of years of myth and mystery. Rothwell’s troubles multiply as he deduces the killer is one of the banker’s close inner circle.

Cyrus is forced to come to grips with powers beyond his natural senses as well as his own mysterious past ties to Freemasonry in order to unmask the killer before they strike again.

Update on The Freemason

Post production work continues on "The Freemason" with a few new behind the scenes photos appearing here and there:

Uh oh, looks like Sean's red pen exploded in his pocket! :-O
With director Sohrab Mirmontazeri and Ricard Dutcher.

Update on The Freemason

According to a tweet by director Sohrab Mirmontazeri, The Freemason will be released late 2013 or early 2014.

Sean talks briefly about his role in the movie to the United Film Institute:



More behind the scenes photos and video, including possible spoilery photo from Fear Factory Salt Lake City:

More behind the scenes photos from The Freemason

Warning: Possible plot spoilers and movie blood below!

Sean and Dav Nordstrom

Sean Astin interviewed by film students from Salt Lake City Community College

Sean Astin took some time from his busy filming schedule on The Freemason to meet with Warren Workman and his film students from the Salt Lake City Community College. The students had the opportunity to ask Sean questions about a variety of topics from his favorite role, to what he likes most about working on set, to the problems in juggling career and family. They videoed his responses for Filmed in Utah. Watch all seven interviews below.

Behind the scenes on set of The Freemason

Here are a few behind the scenes photos on the set of The Freemason, starring Sean Astin, Randy Wayne, Alex McKenna and Richard Dutcher.

Randy Wayne as Cyrus Rothwell, Alex McKenna as Rana Burkhalter and Sean Astin as Leon Weed.

Sean Astin to star in "The Freemason"

From the press release:

Utah welcomes back actor Sean Astin – Joins cast of the Freemason, Film offering peek into Masonry. 

Astin, who has appeared in over 70 film and TV projects including The Goonies, Memphis Belle, Rudy, and the television series 24, is best known for his iconic role as Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee in the hugely successful Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 

Astin takes on the lead role of detective Leon Weed, who is investigating a ritualistic killing of an elderly Mason. The Freemason marks Astin’s second return to Utah since appearing in the locally-produced film, Forever Strong (2008). 

Executive Producer Joseph James, himself a Master Mason, hopes to satisfy the public’s insatiable appetite for the craft’s esoteric realms by allowing outsiders a glimpse into some of the secret society’s mysterious rituals. James explains that “The Freemason is the first film of its kind to highlight actual initiation practices,” including a ritual experience that will surely thrill both Masons and non-Masons alike! 

In an article for the Examiner, executive producer Joseph James describes the movie as a murder mystery that crosses Sherlock Holmes with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

The Freemason, which is scheduled to begin filming in Salt Lake City, Utah later this month, will be directed by Sohrab Mirmontazeri. Mirmontazeri was named the “Filmmaker to Watch” by Digital Filmmaker Magazine UK after his film “The Beautiful Wind" garnered the prestigious Audience Choice Award at New York’s International Film Festival.

The movie's web site describes the plot: "When Cyrus, a brilliant but eccentric freelance writer, is hired to investigate the mysterious murder of a wealthy banker, he suddenly finds himself thrust into the cryptic world of Freemasonry. Cyrus quickly learns the killer will strike again if not given an object shrouded by hundreds of years of arcane secrecy. He must embrace ideals extending beyond his natural senses or suffer the same grisly fate of the murdered banker."

More information is also available on The Freemason Facebook page and IMDB page.