Jasmine Hottle to Complete Sister Kaylee Hottle’s Final Film Role

Jasmine Hottle will step in to complete the final film role of her sister, Kaylee Hottle, who died in a car accident earlier this year at age 18.

The project, titled “What Doesn’t Kill Us,” features a cast of actors with disabilities, People magazine reported.

Kaylee Hottle, who was deaf and hailed from a multi-generational deaf family, had gained industry recognition for her role as Jia in “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” Her performance in the franchise earned her a Saturn Award nomination for best performance by a younger actor.

Before her death, Kaylee Hottle had been attached to star in the upcoming feature, which centers on individuals with disabilities discovering that their perceived limitations are actually strengths. The film also stars Alaqua Cox and Maddie Haining.

“Like Kaylee, Jasmine is deaf, and her involvement allows us to honor Kaylee’s memory while continuing the work she was going to be part of,” Andy Mingo, the film’s writer and producer, told People magazine. Mingo said that the decision to cast Jasmine emerged as the production team discussed how to move forward following the tragedy.

“For us, Jasmine stepping into Kaylee’s role isn’t simply a casting replacement,” Mingo told People magazine. “It’s an opportunity to preserve something of Kaylee’s legacy while telling a story that we hope will resonate with audiences far beyond the disability community.”

Beyond her film work, Kaylee Hottle was a student at the Texas School for the Deaf, where she participated in track-and-field. Her professional portfolio included commercials advocating for the deaf community and a guest appearance on a 2021 episode of “Magnum P.I.”

The transition of the role to Jasmine Hottle marks the continuation of a project that producers hope will reach a broad audience.