Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis has come out of retirement to star in his son Ronan Day-Lewis' directorial debut, Anemone. The Focus Features psychological drama was co-written by the father/son duo and also stars a famed Walking Dead actress who portrayed a significant villain in the series.
Anemone will be the first film for Daniel Day-Lewis since the 2017 film Phantom Thread, which was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. He will be joined by The Serpent Queen actress Samantha Morton, who portrayed Alpha, the leader of the Whisperers, in TWD. The star-studded cast also includes Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones actor Sean Bean, as well as Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green.
According to Focus Features, the film explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons. Ben Fordesman (Love Lies Bleeding) is the Director of Photography, Jane Petrie (The Crown) is the Costume Designer, and Chris Oddy (Zone of Interest) is the Production Designer. British composer Bobby Krlic, aka The Haxan Cloak, will compose the score and is known for his work in Midsommar, Beef, Snowpiercer, and more.
Anemone will premiere at the 2025 New York Film Festival before its October 3 limited theatrical release, followed by an expanded release on October 10. The return of Daniel Day-Lewis is said to be "the most anticipated performance of the year." He will portray Ray Stoker, a man who wrestles with his past in a remote woods.
In the summer of 2026, Morton will also star in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. She will be joined by three other Walking Dead alums, Jon Bernthal, Corey Hawkins, and Ryan Hurst. The cast is led by Matt Damon, who will portray Odysseus, with his son Telemachus played by Tom Holland. The film will also feature Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, and many more.
The Odyssey is based on the Greek poem by Homer, which is one of the oldest literary works still being read today. The $250 million budget for the film marks Nolan's most expensive production, surpassing The Dark Knight. The mythical action movie, scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, will be filmed using IMAX Film Technology.
Morton's other recent credits include The Serpent Queen, The Burning Girls, She Said, and The Whale. The actress also reprised her role as Alpha in The Walking Dead spinoff, Tales of the Walking Dead. The standalone episode expanded Alpha's story, revealing new information about the character's past.