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Image Courtesy: Times Of India
Producer and star Jamie Lee Curtis disclosed a heartwarming and surprising personal connection to the film's real-life story at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival's world premiere of 'The Lost Bus.' The Paul Greengrass-directed survival drama, which is based on the terrifying 2018 California Camp Fire, not only tells a compelling cinematic tale but also reveals a startling familial connection for Curtis.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
A Personal Connection Unearthed
Curtis discovered something remarkable while speaking with Mary Ludwig, the teacher whose bravery in leading 22 kids to safety is at the heart of the movie: In Merced, California, when she was still Jeanette Helen Morrison, Ludwig's father had dated her mother, the late Janet Leigh.
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Image Courtesy: New York Post
Curtis looked back on the occasion with nostalgia, describing the odd sensation: "My mother was Jeanette Helen Morrison before she became Janet Leigh. Jeanette was dated by Mary Ludwig's father. Curtis's role in adapting this story to the movie was the more significant because of the chance encounter, which gave her a profoundly emotional resonance.
Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, Spencer Watson, Danny McCarthy, Levi McConaughey (Matthew's son), Kay McCabe McConaughey (Matthew's Mother), as well as Nathan Gariety have all joined the cast of the film.
From Festival Premiere to Release Date
'The Lost Bus,' which starred America Ferrera as instructor Mary Ludwig and Matthew McConaughey as the valiant bus driver Kevin McKay, is set for limited cinema distribution from 19th September. Later, starting on 3rd October, the movie will be available on Apple TV+.
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Reflections from McConaughey, who revealed that his final trip with his mother prior to the wildfire was to see Curtis's 2018 Halloween—another moving connection to the actress—were among the many touching moments at the event.
Curtis's revelation, which was produced by Jason Blum and filmed by Paul Greengrass, demonstrated the intertwining of fate and narrative.
