'Killers Of The Flower Moon' Actor Reflects On Experience Working On Movie

An actor from Hominy landed a speaking role in "Killers of the Flower Moon," the Martin Scorsese-directed movie which just wrapped up filming in Pawhuska.

Leland Prater said the experience doesn't feel real, and he is so proud to represent Oklahoma in this $200-million-dollar production.

"Landing a role background is one thing, but a principal role is like hitting the jackpot."

Leland Prater grew up in Hominy and is pretty new to acting. He went to a nearby casting call a few years ago and has appeared in several roles since.

He was working on a project in New York when he heard Martin Scorsese would be filming the "Killers of the Flower Moon" just a few miles away from Leland's hometown.

"This is Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert de Niro," Leland said. "Good Lord, it doesn't get bigger than this!"

So Leland made some calls and got in touch with a casting director for the movie.

After a delay from COVID-19, he auditioned for several parts on Zoom earlier this year and he landed one.

"Stars aligned and the good Lord was smiling on me," he said.

Crews turned Pawhuska into 1920s Fairfax and filmed for several months.

Tons of people came from all over to watch and were excited to see a piece of Hollywood in Oklahoma.

Leland was cast as the Rex Theater Manager and said he was treated like royalty. He even got to shake Scorsese's hand.

"I'm a little nobody, an actor from Hominy, and wow, I get to go play with the big boys here," he said.

He knows the story of the Osage Murders, and as a Cherokee himself, he said it was important for the movie makers to get this right, which he said they did.

"This is my town, my county, my family, and my people," he said.

As one of only a few Oklahoma actors cast in the movie, he's soaking up every second of what feels like a dream.

"Not only could I be in a western, but a Martin Scorsese western," he said. "This is a once in a lifetime, once in 3 or 4th-lifetime chance."

Filming wrapped up last week and the movie will likely be released early next year.