Anthony Magnone II 's original script for the film , then titled '' Huntsville '' , was voted to the 2014 Black List , a list of the year 's most popular unproduced screenplays . During the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2015 , the Coalition Group announced the beginning of development for the film with the casting of Shea Whigham as Hank and Anya Taylor-Joy as Josie . By August 2016 , Whigham and Taylor-Joy had been replaced with Dylan McDermott and Sophie Turner , respectively , and Jack Kilmer was also added to the cast . Filming began that same month in Los Angeles . The film 's title was changed from '' Huntsville '' to '' Josie '' ahead of its premiere at the Mammoth Film Festival . The film 's North American distribution rights were acquired by Screen Media Films in January 2018 , also ahead of its premiere , with international distribution being acquired by Lightning Entertainment
Toronto International Film Festival
2015 Toronto International Film Festival
Josie (film)