Oscar-winning icon Renée Zellweger is poised to take the lead role and serve as a producer in the psychological thriller Phantom Son, with David Yates at the helm as director and Stuart Ford's AGC Studios financing and co-producing the project.
Phantom Son revolves around Ronnie, a young runaway who finds refuge with Audrey (Zellweger), a lonely woman whose own son was kidnapped two decades ago. As Audrey becomes increasingly convinced that Ronnie is her long-lost son, a sinister game of cat and mouse unfolds, blurring the line between deception and delusion.
Zellweger and Carmella Casinelli developed the thriller under their Big Picture Co. banner, attaching Yates to direct from a screenplay by Ian Scott McCullough. AGC Studios then joined as a producing partner, with additional casting set to commence ahead of an early 2026 production start date.
"Phantom Son is that rare discovery with the promise to resonate on a broad scale, thanks to its rich, character-driven storytelling that we adore," said Zellweger and Casinelli in a joint statement. "With David at the helm and AGC as our partner, we're poised to deliver something truly special."
Yates, who directed the final four Harry Potter films, The Legend of Tarzan, and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, joins forces with Zellweger, whose film credits include Judy, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Cold Mountain, and Chicago.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance will jointly represent worldwide rights and launch sales at the American Film Market next week. With additional casting underway for a Q1 2026 start, the excitement around Phantom Son is palpable.
Zellweger is represented by CAA; David Yates is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and CAA; while Scott McCullough is represented by Independent Artist Group and Heroes & Villains.
