David Yates, who directed the last four Harry Potter films, is teaming up with actress Renee Zellweger for a psychological thriller titled Phantom Son.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the project will be headlined by Zellweger as a mother still grieving the loss of her kidnapped son two decades ago. Things take an unexpected turn when she fosters a runaway who may or may not be her child. The script is said to be a “tense and twisted cat-and-mouse game” that treads the line “between reality and deception.”
Phantom Son is jointly bankrolled by Zellweger and Carmella Casinelli, who are backing it under their Big Picture Co. banner. With Yates set to direct from a script penned by Ian Scott McCullough, the film will go on floors in early 2026. More cast members are expected to join.
“Phantom Son is that rare discovery with promise to connect on a broad scale with the kind of rich, character-driven storytelling we love, and we’re thrilled it’s taking shape with such an extraordinary team,” said Zellweger and Casinelli in a statement. “With David at the helm and AGC as our partner, we’re poised to deliver something really special.”
Zellweger rose to popularity in films such as Jerry Maguire (opposite Tom Cruise), musical Chicago (with Richard Gere), war drama Cold Mountain (co-starring Jude Law), and the ‘Bridget Jones’ series.
Yates, who last directed the Chris Evans-Emily Blunt feature Pain Hustlers, is also known for directing the three Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films and The Legend of Tarzan. Yates began his career in television before moving on to feature-length films. His work on the Harry Potter films was widely appreciated.
