Daniel Roebuck’s latest film, “The Hail Mary,” will include not only familiar Lehigh Valley locations but literally hundreds of Lehigh Valley residents in roles from nuns and football players to extras at the big football game.

At what was billed as a press conference-pep rally at his alma mater, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Roebuck announced the cast for the film, which was to begin shooting July 20.

With more than 60 people in the cast, the majority of whom are local, “The Hail Mary” is Roebuck’s largest and most ambitious film to date.

The film will feature appearances by the Liberty High School Grenadier Band, Freedom High School Patriot Marching Band and Becahi cheerleaders squad.

At the July 9 press conference, Bethlehem native Roebuck, ever the showman, had members of the Grenadier Band drum corps march into the Becahi gym followed by Becahi cheerleaders before the “football team” crashed through a paper “Saints” banner as they were introduced. In the bleachers, a crowd of fans cheered and waved handmade signs.

“I had to go to Hollywood to become a movie star,” Roebuck said. “My dream is to find movie stars here.”

Roebuck introduced the 25 young men portraying members of the football team and 12 women who will be playing nuns.

The local actors will work with professional actors Marsha Dietlein, Tim Goodwin, Bret Anthony, Duane Whitaker and Joe Estevez, as well as Roebuck who stars in and is writer, producer and director of the film.

The 58-year-old actor who grew up in Bethlehem has a film and television career that’s spanned more than three decades. Among Roebuck’s 247 acting credits on the Internet Movie Database are TV: “The Man In The High Castle,” 2015-2016; “Lost,” 2005-2010; “Nash Bridges,” 1996-2000; “Matlock,” 1987-1995, and theatrical feature films: “Halloween,” 2007; ”Agent Cody Banks,” 2003; “U.S. Marshals,” 1998; “The Fugitive,” 1993; “Dudes,” 1987; “River’s Edge,” 1986, and ”Cavegirl,” 1985.

“The Hail Mary” is Roebuck’s third independent film set in the Lehigh Valley. Last fall, he shot his second film, “Lucky Louie,” at local sites, including Bangor, and it is in post-production. His first film, 2017’s “Getting Grace,” was also shot in the Lehigh Valley.

“The Hail Mary” is about a nun who meets a man (Roebuck) who needs redemption. To help him achieve it, she cons him into creating a football team for her all-boys Catholic school.

Much of the film will be shot at the former Mary Immaculate Seminary, Lehigh Township, and Liberty High School, Bethlehem.

Roebuck hinted there might be a scene with the nuns at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, South Whitehall Township. He said he was inspired by scenes of nuns riding the Thunderhawk roller coaster at Dorney Park in the 1968 comedy, “Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows,” and would like to pay homage to the film.

Roebuck wants to fill the Bethlehem Area School District Stadium with extras for the scene of the big game, which will be filmed in August. The stadium seats up to 14,000, so Roebuck is asking everyone to get their families and friends to show up for the filming.

“I want to show everyone how great Bethlehem is,” he said.

Last year, Roebuck started A Channel of Peace, a nonprofit production company making-faith based family entertainment. “The Hail Mary” will be the second film made through A Channel of Peace. “Lucky Louie” is the first film.

At the press conference, Roebuck asked for donations of food and beverages for the cast and equipment for the crew.

“We make faith-based movies that entertain you first and make you think second,” Roebuck said. “We aren’t telling you what to believe but maybe believe in something bigger than this moment.”

Roebuck anticipates “The Hail Mary” being in post-production in 2022, with a planned 2023-2024 release.

Cast as nuns are Harri James O’Kelly, Meghan Maddigan, Katie Eichler, Kathy Patterson, Milda Dacys, Felicia White, Kelly Herbert James, Signe Mathilde Soerensen, Kim Krupa, Joan Amaya, Francine BiancoTax, Alice Freeh and Terri Gillow.

Cast as football players are Antonio Safara, Matthew Murdock, Johnny Drumgoole, Elijah Siler, Seth McMullan, Alex Kleinschmit, Joseph Biello, Nathan Szydlow, Michell Hendricks, Carter Sachse, Connor Roberts, Michael Sheridan, Chance Wilder, Owen Reinhart, Christian Clausnitzer, Dylan Brown, Matthew DeRose, Isaiah Baker, Derek Elliot, Dylan Vlasak, Keith Willis, Isaiah Hollis, Joey Draper, Bryson Davis, Harrison Bostian, Wyatt Root, Grant Hershman and Bree Scott.

Information: www.achannelofpeace.org