DeWanda Wise Talks The Scariest Days on the set of Imaginary

DeWanda Wise is adept at managing strange encounters, whether they include a demonic soul-snatching teddy bear or a velociraptor. In her latest film, “Imaginary,” which opens in theaters on March 4th, Wise plays Jess, an artist with a vivid imagination who returns to her childhood home with her husband and two stepchildren.

The plot unfolds as her stepchildren, Alice and Taylor, deal with their mentally ill mother and reject the changes in their lives. However, a new beginning is critical for the family. Alice, the youngest stepdaughter, discovers an old teddy bear named Chauncey, whom she adopts as her new imagined best friend, finding peace in him despite her difficulties. As Alice’s relationship with Chauncey grows stronger, her behavior becomes increasingly disturbing, laying the groundwork for genuine terror.

It’s not uncommon to hear about strange happenings on horror movie sets. Halle Berry described her experience while filming 2003’s “Gothika,” describing unusual noises in the house she was staying in, leading her to flee. The cast of “Poltergeist” experienced its fair share of weird happenings.

During the production of “Imaginary,” one crew member’s home tragically caught fire, killing two pet cats. Interestingly, the film includes a fire, and the band name is “Burning Cats.” In a touching show of support, the cast and crew rallied behind their colleague during his time of need.

For Wise and her fellow cast and crew, the boundary between reel and real appears to blur at times, particularly in the creepy world of horror cinema.

Check out my interview with DeWanda Wise below, where we talk about “Imaginary,” her childhood, and more.

“Imaginary” opens in theaters on Friday, March 8th!

About The Author

Tatyana Arrington

Tatyana Arrington is an actress, entertainment reporter, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and co- author. Originally from Queens, New York, Tatyana’s career began as an infant model at Wilhelmina Agency and was featured in campaigns for Spiegel and Toys R Us. Her first professional acting job was in Mirandy and Brother Wind with Acting Up! Since graduating from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s in Communications, she completed an internship with The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern. Post apprenticeship, she starred in Tavern shows A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, As You Like It, and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Tatyana has made television appearances on Homicide Hunter Lt. Joe Kenda and Fatal Attraction. Tatyana’s influencer work began in 2018 and since then she has worked global brands including Reebok, GoDaddy, Fab Fit Fun, Amazon, Tampax, Holiday Inn, Zaful, and Atlantis Bahamas on campaigns in front of the camera. In 2019 she began her journey as a digital host professional and has got to cover press events for Disney, Netflix, BET, Amazon, and Starz. In April 2020, Tatyana re-launched Stix Unlimited, a unisex streetwear clothing line founded by her late brother. Tatyana was named one of the “Resilience Rising” by People Magazine and U.S. Bank in honor of her efforts with STIX. In February 2021, Tatyana teamed up with with her mother, Vanessa and sister, Summer to write “The Adventures of Summer and Winter” inspired by her younger sister and puppy of the same name. The Adventures of Summer and Winter is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.

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