Late Kaylee Hottle's Sister Jasmine Steps Into Her Role in Her Final Film

Kaylee Hottle became known for playing Jia in the popular Hollywood franchise 'Godzilla vs Kong'. Last July, the young performer died at just 18 in a tragic car accident in Maryland, in the United States.

Kaylee's untimely death stalled work on the final film of her life, 'What Doesn't Kill Us'. Now her older sister, Jasmine Hottle, is stepping in to replace her in that unfinished work.

The film, directed by Anna Campbell, tells the story of physically disabled people who turn the limitations imposed on them by society into their own strength and become superheroes.

The film's writer and producer, Andy Mingo, said Jasmine, like Kaylee, is deaf. He told People magazine: 'Kaylee's untimely death is an unimaginable tragedy for all of us. When we were thinking about how to move forward with the film, Jasmine joining felt especially meaningful to us.'

Mingo added that, like Kaylee, Jasmine also communicates in sign language — American Sign Language. 'Through this project, we want to honour Kaylee's memory,' he said.

For the makers, this is not merely a replacement of one performer. Mingo said: 'Jasmine coming into this role is not just a casting change for us. Through it, we want to carry on Kaylee's legacy. I hope the film's story will deeply touch not only the disabled community but wider audiences as well.'

Kaylee Hottle made her screen debut in 2021 with 'Godzilla vs Kong'. She was later seen in the same role of Jia in 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire', released in 2024.

Alongside acting, Kaylee studied at the Texas School for the Deaf in the United States, where she was also a regular member of the athletics team.