More casting news for Rob Zombie’s 31, plus new video!

Last Updated on July 22, 2021

Earlier this morning we let you in on the latest casting news for Rob Zombie’s latest horror show, 31, and now only hours later a new name has popped up. Straight from Zombie’s Facebook page we learn that Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (“Welcome Back, Kotter”)has joined the movie as a fellow named Panda Thomas.

Here’s a description of the character via Zombie:

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs has joined the cast of 31 as Panda Thomas the manager of a traveling roadshow known as “The Venus Lux Happy Time Fun Show”. Unfortunately the fun stops as soon as he enters Murder World.

Lawrence is best know as 70’s icon Freddy “Boom Boom” Washington from Welcome Back, Kotter and such classic films as Cooley High and Claudine.

Hilton-Jacobs joins Torsten Voges and E.G. Daily in 31, which is currently in pre-production. Below you’ll find a new behind-the-scenes video of Zombie scouting locations and giving us some insight as to what we’ll be seeing from his latest. Also, if you missed it last year, check out our interview with Zombie about the movie.

is the story of five random people kidnapped on the five days leading up to Halloween and held hostage in a place called Murder World. While trapped inside this man-made Hell they must fight to survive playing the most violent game known to man… a game called 31.

Source: Rob Zombie

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Eric Walkuski is a longtime writer, critic, and reporter for JoBlo.com. He's been a contributor for over 15 years, having written dozens of reviews and hundreds of news articles for the site. In addition, he's conducted almost 100 interviews as JoBlo's New York correspondent.