Inside the Making of "The Rooster Prince": A Debut Director's Riveting Journey

In 2025, storyteller and director Josh Penn Soskin initiated work on his first cinematic endeavor, "The Rooster Prince," which drew from his relationship with his deceased sibling David, an eminent, yet bipolar, psychiatrist. The role of Eli, a character shaped after his brother was rendered by Shia LaBeouf, along with Jackson White and Melissa Leo.

Soskin shares his striking memories from the set amidst LaBeouf's powerful performance. He discerned a deep pain, one that mirrored the torment he had observed in his brother David's eyes before his demise. This revelation marked the end of a long, intense day of shooting, leaving the production team feeling anxious and Soskin, on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Soskin cherished his brother, who ignited his love for literature, cinema and the distinctive aspects of life. They ensured to keep their bond dynamic, though David distanced over time as he became engrossed in understanding himself by studying human brain patterns, which Soskin later realized was not a strain in their relationship, but a way for David to heal himself.

David had a harrowing manic breakdown in 2017. Despite being a distinguished Harvard-trained psychiatrist, he was found amidst chaos on the streets of Toronto and subsequently institutionalized. He was eventually released to stay with Soskin in California, resulting in a period of euphoria and angst for the brothers.

In less than six months, David spiraled into depression and met an untimely demise. Overwhelmed with grief, Soskin processed his brother's loss by writing a screenplay that later transformed into "The Rooster Prince."

Shia LaBeouf related to David’s character on a personal level due to his own struggles with addiction and PTSD, dedicating himself wholly to the role. The work on set often oscillated between extreme joy and agony, mimicking the bipolar nature of the subject they were attempting to portray.

Despite many hurdles, Soskin managed to direct an honest representation of bipolar disorder. At a critical juncture of the movie, Soskin found himself grappling with words to salvage the project. Shia’s rehearsal footage, which featured the actor breaking down and pleading for "maximum empathy", spurred Soskin to address the crew and request them to embrace the same principle while understanding their roles and the purpose of the movie.

Directed by Soskin, "The Rooster Prince" became a tale of empathy, love, and mental health. The film is a step towards starting a broader conversation surrounding the complexities of mental health disorders like bipolarism and schizophrenia.

In February 2026, Shia LaBeouf underwent legal complications following an altercation in New Orleans. A year prior, he had settled a lawsuit file by FKA Twigs, where he was accused of multiple charges, including assault and emotional distress. Soskin finished his directorial debut with "The Rooster Prince," a heartwarming narrative about two brothers, and continues to grow as a creative artist and storyteller.