Blab Entertainment
Oliver Stone Begins Principal Photography on White Lies With Josh Hartnett, Michael Douglas, and Willem Dafoe
Oliver Stone’s upcoming feature film, White Lies, has entered principal photography, with a cast that includes Josh Hartnett, Leila George, Homer Gere, Yvonne Chapman, Ellen Barkin, Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas. Stone, who has directed and written a string of politically charged dramas, says the project marks a return to his auteur style and a departure from the more overtly political tone of recent work.
The screenplay, written and directed by Stone, follows three generations of a family through themes of love, loss, and the ways that personal choices shape destiny. The story centers on Jack Freeman (Hartnett), a man who grew up in a divorce and finds himself repeating his parents’ mistakes in his own marriage and with his children. Feeling trapped, he embarks on a lust‑filled escape that ultimately leaves him more lost. A chance encounter with a woman whose life is the polar opposite of his own sparks an unexpected path toward rediscovery.
Production is led by Fernando Sulichin, Maximilien Arvelaiz and Jordan Gertner of Sulichin’s New Element Media. Executive producers include Tarak Ben Ammar and Gianluca Leurini of Eagle Pictures, James Packer and Jose Luis Manzano. Sulichin said the team was “immensely proud” of the cast and crew, noting the reunion of Stone with Dafoe and Douglas—actors who starred in Platoon and Wall Street—and the first collaboration with Gere and Chapman. He added that the film would be brought to audiences worldwide.
Stone praised the cast as a “delight” and the Italian crew as the warmest he has worked with. “I’m profoundly grateful for this opportunity,” he said. The film’s production has taken place in Rome, Bangkok and Sofia, according to a recent industry report, reflecting Stone’s habit of shooting in diverse locales.
The ensemble brings a mix of experience and generational perspectives. Hartnett, known for roles in The Faculty and Oppenheimer, leads the narrative. Leila George, daughter of Vincent D’Onofrio and Greta Scacchi, portrays the woman who changes Jack’s trajectory. Ellen Barkin, who has worked with Stone on previous projects, joins the cast, while Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas add star power and depth.
Representation details: Gere is represented by WME, Brookside Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Chapman by Echelon Talent Management, Industry Entertainment and The Characters Talent Agency; Barkin by CAA, Bond Artist Management and Del Shaw Moonves; Dafoe by WME and Circle Management + Production; Douglas by UTA and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
While the film’s release date has not yet announced, the production’s completion is expected in the coming months. Stone’s return to feature filmmaking is seen by industry observers as a significant event, given his long history of tackling contentious subjects. The project’s focus on intimate family drama may signal a new direction for the director.
As principal photography wraps, the industry will watch for the film’s distribution strategy, potential festival premieres, and eventual theatrical or streaming release. The collaboration between New Element Media and Eagle Pictures, along with the involvement of high‑profile actors, positions White Lies as a notable addition to the 2026 film slate.
The film’s production schedule, which began in mid‑March, aligns with Stone’s recent pattern of shooting across multiple international locations to capture varied cultural backdrops. The collaboration with local crews in Rome, Bangkok and Sofia also reflects Stone’s long‑standing practice of engaging regional talent to enhance authenticity.
The screenplay, written and directed by Stone, follows three generations of a family through themes of love, loss, and the ways that personal choices shape destiny. The story centers on Jack Freeman (Hartnett), a man who grew up in a divorce and finds himself repeating his parents’ mistakes in his own marriage and with his children. Feeling trapped, he embarks on a lust‑filled escape that ultimately leaves him more lost. A chance encounter with a woman whose life is the polar opposite of his own sparks an unexpected path toward rediscovery.
Production is led by Fernando Sulichin, Maximilien Arvelaiz and Jordan Gertner of Sulichin’s New Element Media. Executive producers include Tarak Ben Ammar and Gianluca Leurini of Eagle Pictures, James Packer and Jose Luis Manzano. Sulichin said the team was “immensely proud” of the cast and crew, noting the reunion of Stone with Dafoe and Douglas—actors who starred in Platoon and Wall Street—and the first collaboration with Gere and Chapman. He added that the film would be brought to audiences worldwide.
Stone praised the cast as a “delight” and the Italian crew as the warmest he has worked with. “I’m profoundly grateful for this opportunity,” he said. The film’s production has taken place in Rome, Bangkok and Sofia, according to a recent industry report, reflecting Stone’s habit of shooting in diverse locales.
The ensemble brings a mix of experience and generational perspectives. Hartnett, known for roles in The Faculty and Oppenheimer, leads the narrative. Leila George, daughter of Vincent D’Onofrio and Greta Scacchi, portrays the woman who changes Jack’s trajectory. Ellen Barkin, who has worked with Stone on previous projects, joins the cast, while Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas add star power and depth.
Representation details: Gere is represented by WME, Brookside Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Chapman by Echelon Talent Management, Industry Entertainment and The Characters Talent Agency; Barkin by CAA, Bond Artist Management and Del Shaw Moonves; Dafoe by WME and Circle Management + Production; Douglas by UTA and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
While the film’s release date has not yet announced, the production’s completion is expected in the coming months. Stone’s return to feature filmmaking is seen by industry observers as a significant event, given his long history of tackling contentious subjects. The project’s focus on intimate family drama may signal a new direction for the director.
As principal photography wraps, the industry will watch for the film’s distribution strategy, potential festival premieres, and eventual theatrical or streaming release. The collaboration between New Element Media and Eagle Pictures, along with the involvement of high‑profile actors, positions White Lies as a notable addition to the 2026 film slate.
The film’s production schedule, which began in mid‑March, aligns with Stone’s recent pattern of shooting across multiple international locations to capture varied cultural backdrops. The collaboration with local crews in Rome, Bangkok and Sofia also reflects Stone’s long‑standing practice of engaging regional talent to enhance authenticity.
