Untitled Damien Chazelle film
| Untitled Damien Chazelle film | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Damien Chazelle |
| Written by | Damien Chazelle |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Lol Crawley[1] |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Damien Chazelle is writing and directing an upcoming American prison drama film. It stars Daniel Craig, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Williams, and Mia Threapleton.
Premise
[edit]Set in the 1940s, a prison warden attempts to discipline a defiant inmate within a brutal correctional system. As tensions rise, their relationship evolves into a psychological duel.
Cast
[edit]- Daniel Craig as the prison warden
- Cillian Murphy as the inmate
- Michelle Williams as the prison warden's wife
- Mia Threapleton as the inmate's daughter
Production
[edit]Background and development
[edit]In June 2014, 20th Century Studios acquired an untitled pitch from Damien Chazelle with Shawn Levy and 21 Laps Entertainment producing. It was described as a high-concept and character-driven genre film inspired by the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s.[2]
In February 2024, Chazelle acknowledged that he was in the process of finishing a new screenplay that he planned to direct, but remained skeptical about the amount of creative freedom he would be allowed following the box office disappointment of his previous film Babylon (2022). "I'm in a sort of trepidatious state of mind, but I have no illusions. I won't get a budget of Babylon size any time soon, or at least not on this next one," Chazelle told Ben Mankiewicz on an episode of Talking Pictures. "I have very mixed mind about it. Maybe I won't be able to get this one made. We'll have to wait and see."[3][4] In April, it was announced that Chazelle had officially set his next film - a prison drama - at Paramount Pictures with the film tentatively set to release in 2025.[5] By July, it was expected that principal photography would commence in October 2024, though this did not occur.
In September 2024, Chazelle revealed that he was working on another project simultaneously as his prison drama film and wasn't entirely sure which he would do first.[6] In December, it was revealed that this second project was an Evel Knievel biopic for Paramount, with Leonardo DiCaprio tentatively attached to star. In March, it was announced that Chazelle had tentatively opted to prioritize Evel Knevel on Tour instead of his prison drama with casting underway.[7][8]
However, in May 2025, Chazelle circled back to the prison drama as his next film with Daniel Craig and Cillian Murphy cast in the lead roles, after Paramount was unable to make a deal with DiCaprio for Evel Knievel on Tour.[9] The Hollywood Reporter claimed that DiCaprio - who was initially offered a part in the prison drama before passing in favor of Evel Knevel on Tour - opted to step away to prioritize another collaboration with Martin Scorsese, due to his old age.[10] In January 2026, Michelle Williams and Mia Threapleton joined the cast.[11][12]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography began on March 18, 2026, in Greece.[13] Murphy and Threapleton were spotted shooting a scene in Athens, Greece on March 25.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3833478/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm".
{{cite web}}: External link in|title=|url=(help) - ^ Fleming Jr., Mike. "Fox, 21 Laps Land Pitch For 'Whiplash' Helmer Damien Chazelle". Deadline. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
- ^ Mankiewicz, Ben; Chazelle, Damien (February 27, 2024). "Talking Pictures Podcast | Episode 7 | Max" (Podcast). Max. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Sharf, Zach (March 1, 2024). "After 'Babylon' Flop, Damien Chazelle Knows He 'Won't Get a Budget of That Size Any Time Soon' and 'Maybe I Won't Be Able to Get' Next Film Made". Variety. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 11, 2024). "Damien Chazelle Sets Next Film At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Canfield, David (September 6, 2024). "Whiplash Turns 10: Damien Chazelle, Miles Teller, and J.K. Simmons on the Oscar-Winning Sensation That Changed Their Lives". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin; Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 6, 2025). "Adrien Brody Weighing Options Including 'Evel Knievel' Project At Paramount Following Second Oscar Win: The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ Kit, Borys (March 6, 2025). "As Leonardo DiCaprio Remains in Talks for Damien Chazelle's Evel Knievel Biopic, Adrien Brody Is in the Wings". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 20, 2025). "Cillian Murphy And Daniel Craig In Talks To Star In Damien Chazelle's Next Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ Kit, Borys (May 20, 2025). "Daniel Craig, Cillian Murphy in Talks to Star in Damien Chazelle's Prison Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 13, 2026). "Michelle Williams Joins Damien Chazelle's Next Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 28, 2026). "'Phoenician Scheme' Star Mia Threapleton Joins Damien Chazelle's Next Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ Lambie, Ryan (March 18, 2026). "Damien Chazelle's untitled prison drama begins filming in Greece". Film Stories. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ FIRST LOOK: Cillian Murphy and Mia Threapleton in Damien Chazelle’s 40s-Set Prison Movie