Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, and Cory Michael Smith are set to star in an untitled romantic drama written and directed by Joe Swanberg.
While plot details remain confidential, the film will be set across various locations in Alaska. Fanning, Johnson, and Smith will also serve as producers alongside Swanberg and Ashleigh Snead. Dan Johnson, Kathy Gitibin Parsa, and Ariana Parsa are executive producing. The project marks the fourth collaboration between Swanberg and Johnson, who previously worked together on the films Drinking Buddies, Digging for Fire, and Win It All.
Fanning recently earned her first Emmy nomination for her role in Netflix’s Ripley and also stars in the streamer’s series The Perfect Couple. Her upcoming projects include the lead role in Peacock’s thriller miniseries All Her Fault alongside Sarah Snook, and Bryan Bertino’s Paramount horror film Vicious. She is also set to produce and star with her sister, Elle Fanning, in the film adaptation of The Nightingale, scheduled for a February 2027 release.
Johnson recently made his feature directorial debut with the comedic thriller Self Reliance, which he also wrote, produced, and starred in, with Hulu acquiring the film after its SXSW premiere. Known for his roles in the sitcom New Girl and the series Minx, his upcoming work includes the pickleball comedy The Dink, starring opposite Ben Stiller, and the Apple series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.
Smith recently starred in the HBO film Mountainhead from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong and is slated to lead Jeremy Saulnier’s A24 fugitive thriller, October. Following strong reviews for his portrayal of Chevy Chase in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night, he will appear in Joachim Trier’s Cannes Grand Prix-winning dramedy Sentimental Value. His future projects also include A24’s Famous, co-starring Zac Efron.
An established figure in independent film, Swanberg has directed over 20 features, including Happy Christmas and Nights and Weekends, which he co-directed with Greta Gerwig. He also created, wrote, and directed all 25 episodes of the Netflix anthology series Easy. As an actor and producer, his credits include roles in films like You’re Next and producing Dave Franco’s directorial debut, The Rental.
Fanning, Johnson, and Smith are all represented by UTA. Fanning is also managed by TFC Management and repped by HJTH. Johnson is additionally represented by Jackoway Austen Tyerman, and Smith by Circle Management + Production. Swanberg is represented by Entertainment 360.
