Canyon Del Muerto is the true story of Ann Axtell Morris (Lawrie), America’s first female archaeologist who spent years uncovering civilizations in the Southwest and Mexico. Ann was married to Earl Halstead Morris (Felton) who, along with the historical character Sylvanus G. Morley (Bremner), served as a primary inspiration for Indiana Jones. The film’s screenplay is based on Ann’s two novels (Digging in Yucatan and Digging in the Southwest), which was optioned and adapted by Voorhees.
Oscar-winning Wes Studi (The Last of the Mohicans, Dances with Wolves, Hostiles), Q’orianka Kilcher (“Yellowstone,” “The Alienist,” The New World), and Tatanka Means (“I Know This Much Is True,” “The Liberator”) have signed on to star in writer/director Coerte Voorhees’ (The First Line – Now on Netflix) Canyon Del Muerto. Based on the true story of one of America’s first female archaeologists, the film also stars David Midthunder (Hostiles, “Westworld”), alongside previously announced Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Ewen Bremner, Bronson Webb, Elias Koteas, and Val Kilmer.
Edmond and Glessna Coisson, Denny LaVia, Peter & Donna Rice Bahner, Perry Stamatis, John & Jean Savage, Charles & Nubia Benson, Mike & Jan Baum, Jake Chesney, Matt & Heather Hook, Charlie Zine, Andrew Carver, Linda & Erik Thomas, Jennifer Dutton, Mary Lou Chapa, Ed & Michael Garrett, Frank and Cherry Binetti, Daniel Nigg, Daniel Granik, Jim Cather, and Roger & Barbara Blomquist have also signed on as Executive Producers. Voorhees and his brother John are producing under their “A Visionary Film” banner, with “First Line Films” and “The Vladar Company.” Julius Elwood and John Tsosie are the film’s cultural liaisons with the Navajo Nation. Chris Maher is co-executive producing and Roma Kong will Co-Produce along with Alberto Zeni and Omar Blanco.
Lisa London and Catherine Stroud handled casting on the film, which is now in production across New Mexico. The film is shooting on location across the Southwest and the Yucatan with special Covid-19 measures and protocols in place in archaeological and cultural heritage sites throughout North America and Mexico in collaboration with the Navajo Nation, National Park Service, and the Government of Yucatan. The addition of Native American cast and the personal support of President Jonathan Nez of the Navajo Nation emphasizes the importance of telling the indigenous history of North America. President Nez has expressed the importance of showing the resilience of Native people and telling their history that long predates American settlement. Nez is also set to cameo in the film.
