Woody Harrelson to Star in New Suspense Drama “Summer of Roses”

Actor Woody Harrelson is set to lead Summer of Roses, a newly announced suspense drama from director Rick Alverson. The project, co‑written by Alverson and Micah Jayne, also features an ensemble cast that includes Caleb Landry Jones, Hannah Gross and Kaya Wilkins. Production is slated to begin in Sicily in the coming weeks, with a slate of high‑profile producers and financing partners backing the film.

Plot, Cast, and Production Details

About the Film “Summer of Roses”

“Summer of Roses” follows Thomas, a wealthy American expatriate living a life of excess and intoxication, as he finds himself entangled in a web of danger and mystery. The film is positioned as a compact, high‑stakes thriller that leverages Sicily’s striking landscapes to amplify its atmospheric tension. The project is being produced by a coalition of independent firms, aiming for a tight production schedule before the Mediterranean summer heat intensifies.

Key Cast Members

Harrelson leads the cast as Thomas, delivering what insiders describe as one of his most brooding performances to date. Jones, known for his work in Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, joins as a pivotal supporting figure. Gross, acclaimed for her role in The Drama, and Wilkins—also known by her musical moniker Okay Kaya—round out the principal cast, each bringing a distinct tonal quality to the film’s ensemble dynamics.

About the Director, Rick Alverson

Notable Works and Background

Rick Alverson, an American filmmaker with a reputation for sharply observed, low‑key dramas, last helmed The Mountain. Starring Jeff Goldblum, that film premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival, earning both critical praise and festival attention. Prior to this, Alverson directed Entertainment, starring Gregg Turkington, Tye Sheridan and John C. Reilly, and the Tim Heidecker‑led The Comedy; both opened the Sundance Film Festival to strong audience response. In addition to his narrative projects, Alverson has directed music videos for artists such as Oneohtrix Point Never, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olson, further demonstrating his versatility behind the camera. He is represented by WME.

Production Team and Financing

Producers and Partners

The production combines several experienced indie outfits. Benjamin Loeb and Magnus Castracane of Small Problems oversee the project alongside Tyler Davidson and Drew Sykes of Low Spark Films, while Marco Alessi and Massimiliano Navarra of Dugong Films bring European production expertise. Additional executive producers include Nick Grau, John Gray and Derrick Tseng. Alverson’s own banner, Made Bed, executive produces in tandem with Harrelson and Ilya Bronchtein’s Children at Play. Katie Sanders serves as co‑producer. Financing is led by Low Spark Films, in association with Gray’s It’s Not Pork and new‑land, securing both domestic and international distribution pathways.

Current Status and Release Outlook

Upcoming Projects and Recent Work

While “Summer of Roses” remains in pre‑production, Harrelson’s forthcoming schedule continues to unfold. According to recent announcements, he will star opposite Matthew McConaughey in an Apple TV+ comedy titled Brothers, portraying fictionalized versions of the two actors learning they may be long‑lost siblings. Additionally, Quentin Dupieux’s Full Phil starring Kristen Stewart is slated for release, and Harrelson recently wrapped a lead role opposite Sam Rockwell in the Netflix crime thriller The Cackling of the Dodos, directed by Jason Bateman. These projects illustrate Harrelson’s diverse range across comedy, drama, and crime genres.

Industry Reactions and Significance

Representations and Deals

Harrelson’s representation remains with 7 Deuce Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham. Cast members are overseen by their respective agencies: Jones by UTA, Joey Stanton and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; Gross by Gersh and Untitled; Wilkins by Anonymous Content. WME Independent is serving as producer’s representative for the film, coordinating logistics and further development tasks.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Harrelson and Alverson

The collaboration between Woody Harrelson and Rick Alverson signals a fresh entry in both artists’ careers. Harrelson steps into a role that showcases a more introspective, conflicted side, while Alverson expands his directorial portfolio beyond festival‑circuit successes into mainstream genre territory. With a star‑studded ensemble, robust financing, and a compelling setting in Sicily, “Summer of Roses” is positioned to become a notable addition to the current suspense thriller landscape. As the project moves toward filming and eventual release, industry watchers will be watching closely for how this partnership evolves and what new narratives these talents bring to audiences.

Entertainment, Arts, People, News, Business, Woody Harrelson, Rick Alverson, Summer of Roses, Low Spark Films, Small Problems, Dugong Films, Children at Play, The Mountain, Entertainment (film), The Comedy, Sundance, Venice, UTA, Gersh, Anonymous Content, WME Independent