**A Collaborative Venture for a New Feature Film: "A Woman in the Sun"**
Black Bear, Artists Equity, and Big Picture Co. are teaming up to add some rays of sunshine to "A Woman in the Sun," a new feature film project from Julia Cox. This film will star Academy Award winners Renée Zellweger and Sissy Spacek opposite Mia Threapleton.
The script for "A Woman in the Sun" has been written and will be directed by Cox, reuniting her with Black Bear after her breakout moment with the studio's "Nyad," starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster. The film follows a month in the life of Claire Keating, to be played by Zellweger, a bartender on Nantucket who finds her world cracking open when her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home. She is then forced to reckon with her past and take ownership of her future.
Production is slated to begin in September, with the project receiving a spotlight during the Cannes Film Festival, where Black Bear will introduce it to international buyers. Black Bear and Artists Equity are co-financing, with Black Bear set to distribute in North America and the U.K., and in Canada via Elevation Pictures. Zellweger and Carmella Casinelli are producing through Big Picture Co., along with Kim Roth. Greg Gertmenian is co-producing.
Zellweger expressed her excitement about the project, stating: "Championing promising filmmakers like Julia has been central to Big Picture Co.'s mission since day one, and we’re thrilled to be part of this very special project and the team who will help realize Julia’s vision. The script is a storytelling treasure, and Julia’s instincts set her apart as an emerging filmmaker. We can’t wait to get started."
Artists Equity CEO Ben Affleck, an Oscar winner himself, praised Cox's talents while revealing his company's strategy for backing the project. "Julia has proven herself as a writer, and I’m certain 'A Woman in the Sun' will show the film world she’s equally gifted in the director’s chair. This is a moving, gripping exploration of a complex family dynamic with something lurking beneath the surface. And behind the scenes, we’ve got a tremendous partner in Black Bear. For us, this is about finding meaningful ways to invest in filmmakers at every stage of their journey, and projects like this are exactly the kind of work we want to be a part of. We’re looking forward to bringing this film to life."
Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman added: "As soon as I met Julia, I knew she was destined to be an incredible director and working with her closely on 'Nyad' only strengthened my belief in her as an artist and leader. With 'A Woman in the Sun,' she has created that perfect vehicle to transition from acclaimed writer to world-caliber director. The story is both singular and universal, and Julia will no doubt capture unforgettably rich performances from Renée, Sissy, and Mia. Black Bear is honored to back this powerful film alongside our good friends at Artists Equity, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences soon."
In addition to "Nyad," Cox also wrote and executive produced the upcoming film "Love of Your Life" directed by Oscar nominee Rachel Morrison and starring Margaret Qualley, Gabriel Basso, Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Catherine Keener. Cox is represented by CAA, Project D Media, Aloft Strategic Communications, and the law firm Ziffren Brittenham.
Zellweger won Oscars for her work in "Judy" and "Cold Mountain," on top of nominations for "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Chicago." She most recently starred in the latest installment in the Bridget Jones franchise, "Mad About the Boy." She's represented by CAA and Imprint PR. Her Big Picture Co. is behind Peacock’s limited series "The Thing About Pam" and the upcoming feature "Phantom Son" directed by David Yates. After being introduced at the Berlin market, the film is set to begin production in late 2026. "A Woman in the Sun" marks the first feature from Big Picture Co.'s growing slate of elevated, character-driven commercial films to move into production.
Spacek has been nominated for six best actress Academy Awards. She won for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in the 1980 hit "Coal Miner's Daughter." Her other nominations came for "In the Bedroom," "Crimes of the Heart," "The River," "Missing," and a breakout role in Stephen King's "Carrie." She recently starred opposite Jennifer Lawrence in Lynne Ramsey's "Die My Love." Spacek is represented by UTA and MGMT Entertainment.
Threapleton is currently shooting Damien Chazelle's untitled feature film. She had a breakout turn in Wes Anderson's "The Phænician Scheme." Other credits include Karim Aïnouz's "Firebrand" and Alan Rickman's "A Little Chaos." Threapleton is represented by CAA and Markham, Froggatt, and Irwin.
Black Bear's upcoming releases include Guy Ritchie's "In the Grey" starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González; Oscar winner Daniel Roher's "Tuner" starring Leo Woodall and Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman; "The Rivals of Amziah King" starring Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey; "Spa Weekend" starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris; Guy Ritchie's "Wife & Dog" starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike; and Sundance breakout "Wicker" starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage.
Artists Equity, founded by Affleck and Matt Damon, has a slate that includes the upcoming "Animals" directed by Affleck. He also stars in the film alongside Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, and Steven Yeun. The studio's most recent release was the Netflix chart-topper "The Rip" starring Affleck, Damon, Steven Yeun, and Teyana Taylor. Since launching in 2022, Artists Equity has produced "The Accountant 2," "The Instigators," "Small Things Like These," "Unstoppable," and its hit debut "Air."
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