Image Source: Deadline
Woody Harrelson is taking on a dramatically darker role in Summer of Roses, an upcoming suspense drama from filmmaker Rick Alverson. The three-time Oscar nominee is set to lead the film, which is scheduled to begin shooting in Sicily next month.
Alverson directed the project from a screenplay he co-wrote with Micah Jayne. The film has assembled a notable ensemble that includes Caleb Landry Jones, Hannah Gross and Kaya Wilkins, also known as the musician Okay Kaya.
Woody Harrelson Leads Rick Alverson’s Ambitious New Drama
Summer of Roses follows Thomas, played by Harrelson, a wealthy American expatriate experiencing what the filmmakers describe as an “intoxicated free-fall.” The brief description suggests a tense and psychologically charged story centered on a privileged man whose life appears to be spiraling out of control.
Specific plot details remain under wraps, but the combination of suspense, an international setting and Alverson’s distinctive filmmaking approach gives the movie an intriguing independent-film profile. Sicily will provide the backdrop as production gets underway, adding an atmospheric European dimension to the story.
Caleb Landry Jones reunites with Harrelson after the pair appeared together in Martin McDonagh’s acclaimed film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Their previous collaboration earned widespread attention for its emotionally intense performances, making their return an appealing element of the new project.
Powerful Cast Joins the Sicily Production
Alongside Harrelson and Jones, the cast features Hannah Gross, known for her work in The Drama, and Kaya Wilkins. Wilkins, who performs under the name Okay Kaya, brings experience from both music and screen projects to the ensemble.
The production is backed by a group of established independent film companies and producers. Benjamin Loeb and Magnus Castracane of Small Problems are producing with Tyler Davidson and Drew Sykes of Low Spark Films. Marco Alessi and Massimiliano Navarra of Dugong Films are also producing.
Nick Grau, John Gray and Derrick Tseng are attached as producers, while Alverson’s Made Bed and Harrelson and Ilya Bronchtein’s Children at Play are serving as executive producers. Katie Sanders is the co-producer. Low Spark Films is financing the film in association with Gray’s It’s Not Pork and new-land.
- Director: Rick Alverson
- Screenplay: Rick Alverson and Micah Jayne
- Lead star: Woody Harrelson
- Additional cast: Caleb Landry Jones, Hannah Gross and Kaya Wilkins
- Filming location: Sicily
What’s Next for Woody Harrelson?
The new film adds another challenging dramatic role to a busy period in Harrelson’s career. On September 23, he will appear opposite longtime friend Matthew McConaughey in Brothers, an Apple TV comedy series. The project features the two actors playing fictionalized versions of themselves as they discover they may be brothers.
Harrelson is also attached to Full Phil, the upcoming film from Quentin Dupieux, which co-stars Kristen Stewart. More recently, he completed a leading role opposite Sam Rockwell in The Cackling of the Dodos, a Netflix crime film directed by Jason Bateman.
With projects spanning comedy, crime and suspense, Harrelson continues to shift comfortably between major commercial productions and more unconventional independent films. Summer of Roses appears to fall firmly into the latter category, placing the actor at the center of a potentially unsettling character study.
Rick Alverson’s Independent Film Vision
Alverson is best known for films that explore alienation, artistic ambition and uncomfortable emotional spaces. His previous features include The Mountain, starring Jeff Goldblum, along with Entertainment and The Comedy.
The Mountain premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival, while Entertainment and The Comedy both premiered at Sundance. Beyond narrative filmmaking, Alverson has directed music videos for artists including Oneohtrix Point Never, Sharon Van Etten, Bonny Prince Billy and Angel Olsen.
That background makes Summer of Roses a promising match for Harrelson, whose performances often balance humor, vulnerability and volatility. The film’s wealthy expatriate protagonist could offer the actor another opportunity to explore a deeply flawed and unpredictable figure.
Summer of Roses: Release Details
Production is expected to begin in Sicily next month. No release date, distributor or streaming platform has been announced. Additional details about the story and the film’s eventual festival or theatrical plans are likely to emerge as filming progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is starring in Summer of Roses?
Woody Harrelson leads the cast, with Caleb Landry Jones, Hannah Gross and Kaya Wilkins also attached to the film.
Who is directing Summer of Roses?
Rick Alverson is directing the suspense drama from a screenplay he co-wrote with Micah Jayne.
Where will Summer of Roses be filmed?
The film is scheduled to shoot in Sicily next month.
What character does Woody Harrelson play?
Harrelson plays Thomas, a wealthy American expatriate described as being in an intoxicated free-fall.
When will Summer of Roses be released?
A release date has not yet been announced.
