Josh O'Connor, the rising star of "Challengers," has inked a deal to take the lead role in Steven Spielberg's latest high-profile motion picture venture. Universal Pictures is standing tall as the backer of this untitled cinematic event, which boasts an impressive ensemble including Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and Eve Hewson on its star-studded roster.
While details about the project remain shrouded in mystery, whispers from within the industry hint at its sci-fi undertones, marking Spielberg's return to the realm of blockbuster production since the 2018 smash hit, "Ready Player One." Rooted in a narrative conceived by the visionary filmmaker himself, the screenplay has been penned by David Koepp, whose collaborations with Spielberg span iconic scripts such as "Jurassic Park," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "War of the Worlds," and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
Kristie Macosko Krieger, Spielberg's long-time collaborator who has been instrumental in films like "The Fabelmans" and "West Side Story," is helming the production reigns. Universal Pictures has set its sights on a grand release date of May 15, 2026.
Currently, O'Connor is in the thick of awards season with "Challengers," a tennis-themed drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, co-starring Zendaya and Mike Faist. This film, distributed by MGM, has racked up nearly $100 million at the global box office. The actor is also lens-bound in Kelly Reichardt's art heist thriller, "The Mastermind," alongside Alana Haim, and is set to shine in Rian Johnson's latest murder mystery, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," which Netflix will unveil in the coming year.
O'Connor is represented by CAA, Independent Talent Group, and Johnson Shapiro, as he continues to elevate his presence in the cinematic landscape.
