Drake & Josh star Josh Peck is leaving the world of tween television behind with several new and more mature film projects slated for release in the near future.  The movies American Primitive, Drillbit Taylor and The Wackness all feature the 21-year-old actor in roles that are a far cry from his small screen persona.

American Primitive is set in the early 1970s and follows the lives of Harry Goodhart, a British widower father, and his two teenage daughters, Madeline and Daisy as they relocate to Cape Cod.  Once there, Harry struggles to keep a secret from his children, a secret that can tear their family apart.

The film, which tackles ideas of sex and identity, boasts of a stellar cast that not only includes Josh Peck, but also Tate Donovan (The O.C.), James Sikking (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Danielle Savre (Heroes), Skye McCole Bartusiak (24) and Adam Pascal (Rent, Cold Case).

American Primitive is co-written and directed by Gwen Wynne, and produced by Cape Cod Films.  As for Drillbit Taylor, the film is an upcoming comedy being produced by Judd Apatow, the same man behind the hits Knocked Up and Superbad.  The film revolves around three high school freshmen who hire a bodyguard to protect them from the school bullies.

Drillbit Taylor stars Owen Wilson as the eponymous lead character, Troy Gentile as Ryan, Nate Hartley as Wade, David Dorfman as Emitt and Alex Frost as Filkins.  Josh Peck appears in the film as Ronnie, Filkins’ friend and fellow bully.

The film, which is directed by Steven Brill and written by Seth Rogen (Freaks & Geeks), is set for release in March.

Lastly, The Wackness, starring Oscar winner Ben Kingsley and Weeds actress Mary Kate Olsen, is an independent film set in 1994 and revolves around a troubled teenage drug dealer who falls in love with his psychiatrist’s daughter.  Peck will play the troubled teen, who incidentally also trades pot for therapy sessions with the psychiatrist, played by Kingsley.

The Wackness is also set for release next year.

While Josh Peck is keeping busy with more adult projects, his Drake & Josh costar Drake Bell is devoting more time and energy to furthering his music career. However, both are slated to appear in Drake & Josh in New York, the latest TV movie based on the Drake & Josh series.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:  American Primitive Official Website, IMDB
(Image Courtesy of American Primitive Official Website)