Cal Barnes

Calvin Ross Barnes (born January 14, 1988) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, novelist, and playwright. Barnes moved to Los Angeles in 2009, where he began his career by starring in short films, appearing in television commercials, and writing screenplays. His stage play, Rise, won Best World Premiere at the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival. In 2014, Barnes appeared in the Universal Studios horror film, Unfriended, which was executive produced by Jason Blum. He has three published novels, True Grandeur, and the Peter Pan sequels, Son of Neverland (2021), and Son of Neverland and the Kingdom of Time (2025), both in which he is attached to star in. He is the star of theThe Astrid Experience, which marks his feature film directorial debut.

Early life and education Cal Barnes was born in Salem, Oregon. He studied creative writing, journalism, and theatre at Portland State University before moving to Los Angeles. In late 2011, he moved to the Franklin Village neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills, where he began penning feature screenplays.

During his time in the village, Barnes penned his first play, Rise (2012), which went on to win Best World Premiere at the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival. which chronicles the tale of Conrad Arlington, a young Hollywood hopeful that moves to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a great artist, all while managing his affections for Gracie Garrison, a young Hollywood it girl who takes an interest in him. In an interview regarding the novel, Barnes stated, "I was inspired by some experiences I had in my early twenties when I first moved to Los Angeles." He also had a role in the successful horror film franchise, Unfriended (2014), which was produced by Timur Bekmambetov and Jason Blum, and released by Universal Studios.

Barnes recently starred in the feature film, The Astrid Experience (2023). The film has subsequently been released by Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV. and in 2025 was ranked #5 on FandomWire Magazine's 'Top 10 Movies Shot on iPhone', behind Sean Baker's Tangerine.

On October 27, 2021, Barnes published his second novel, Son of Neverland, a Peter Pan sequel that takes place one hundred years into the future. The novel hit the #1 new release for mythology and folklore fantasy fiction on Amazon for the month of November, 2021.

In an Interview with Revamp Magazine in March, 2023, Barnes confirmed that he's attached to play Peter Pan in the franchise. "I am the character," Barnes says. "I'm attached to play Peter, and the novel art has already been created in my likeness, so it's well on its way."

On July 4, 2026, Barnes launched his new show, Unlimited Creation, on Youtube and Spotify.

Between acting and filmmaking Barnes currently serves as the head of creative and CEO of Nineteen Films, a production and sales company in Los Angeles.

In October 2024, Barnes briefly appeared in Tyler, the Creator's "Noid" music video.

Filmography

Films Year Title Role Notes 2011 Plunge Wendell Also Writer, Producer. First short film with his production company. Soundtrack includes 'If Work Permits' by The Format 2012 Faith and Other Weapons Josh Thesis film by Cooper Hefner 2014 Unfriended Rando Pauls 2018 Adolescence NA Writer, Associate Producer 2023 Krispr Matthew Shepp 2023 The Astrid Experience Chase Abbott Directorial Debut. Also Writer, Producer. 2026 The Influencer House Massacre Josh Carter Attached. Also Writer/ Director 2028 Infinite Limits Collin Whitney Attached. Also Writer TBD Son of Neverland Peter Pan Attached. Based on the Novel TBD Son of Neverland and the Kingdom of Time Peter Pan Attached. Based on the Novel

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2012 Rise Playwright Zenith Ensemble / Hollywood Fringe Festival, Won 'Best World Premiere' 2013 The Absence of Sound Dane, Playwright Award-Winning Playwright Competition

Music videos Year Title Artist Role 2011 "So Far Away" Avenged Sevenfold Teenage Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan 2011 "Who's in Control" / Valhalla Dancehall British Sea Power Rebel Leader 2014 "Hippy Girl" John That Director, Producer 2024 "Noid" Tyler, the Creator Robber

Books & Publications True Grandeur: A Hollywood Novel (Magic Hour Press 2017) Son of Neverland (Magic Hour Press 2021) Rise (Prodigy Play Group 2022) Son of Neverland and the Kingdom of Time (Magic Hour Press 2025)