Real-life loves Melissa Ordway and Justin Gaston are heading back to the screen together, this time in a brand-new 90s rom-com. The couple has joined the ensemble cast of Connection Pending…, a nostalgic romantic comedy set in the early days of the internet that’s currently gearing up for production.
Ordway, best known to soap fans as Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless, reunites once again with Gaston, who also appeared on the long-running soap as her on-screen husband Chance Chancellor, albeit briefly during a recast. While the two aren’t playing the film’s central romantic leads, their presence adds an extra layer of charm for fans who love seeing real-life couples share the screen.
About Connection Pending
Connection Pending… is set right on the cusp of the digital boom of the 1990s and follows Joe, a buttoned-up IT worker who spends his days coding and his nights chatting on AOL, and Jess, a spirited internet café employee trying to move on after a breakup. According to IMDb, when Jess realizes Joe is reluctant to meet his online crush in person, she pitches an impulsive road trip. Partly to help him, and partly to prove to herself that she’s capable of breaking out of her own routines.
Armed with MapQuest printouts, a carefully curated mixtape, and wildly different personalities, the two hit the road. Along the way, they navigate awkward silences, small arguments, and moments of unexpected connection. When Jess’s instincts about Joe’s online crush turn out to be right, and the truth behind his motives comes to light, their fragile bond starts to crack.
Things take a turn when a breakdown leaves them stranded overnight. Forced to slow down, Joe and Jess begin opening up in ways they never anticipated, sharing regrets, insecurities, and cheap champagne. By the time their journey comes to an end, the walls between them have fallen. Whether they can rebuild trust is another question entirely.
The Cast
Filled with humor, heart, and a heavy dose of internet-era nostalgia, Connection Pending… explores the lies we tell, the risks we take, and the connections we form when we finally step outside our comfort zones.
The film also features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Casey Cott, Scott Reeves (The Young and the Restless), Kellan Lutz, and Laura Osnes. It marks the feature directorial debut of Eric Petersen, with a script written by Kelsey Cooke and Chris Guerra. Production is set to begin in Tennessee in January 2026.
Photo Credit: Instagram.
Key Takeaways
- Melissa Ordway and Justin Gaston will be in the new 90s rom-com Connection Pending….
- The film showcases a nostalgic story set in the early days of the internet, featuring a road trip and unexpected connections.
- Ordway and Gaston play supporting roles.
- Production begins in January 2026 in Tennessee, marking Eric Petersen’s feature directorial debut.
- The ensemble cast includes Casey Cott, Kellan Lutz, and Laura Osnes, promising humor and heart.
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