Michelle Williams Set to Star in Damien Chazelle’s Prison Film
Michelle Williams is joining Damien Chazelle’s new prison drama, alongside Cillian Murphy and Daniel Craig. Filming is tipped to kick off in 2026.
Fresh off her Golden Globe win for the series Dying for Sex, Michelle Williams is gearing up for another big-screen role. The acclaimed performer, who’s racked up five Oscar nominations for her work in films like Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn, Manchester by the Sea, and The Fabelmans, is now in talks to join the cast of Damien Chazelle’s next feature. With a sixth Academy Award nod possibly on the cards, Williams is set to work with the celebrated director on his much-anticipated prison drama.
Deadline reports that Michelle Williams will join the cast of Damien Chazelle's upcoming feature film.
The project already boasts some big names, with Cillian Murphy and Daniel Craig reportedly attached. Details about the storyline and even the film’s title are still under wraps, but it’s expected to be set behind bars. Production is pencilled in for late 2026, with Chazelle not only directing but also penning the script. He’ll be producing as well, alongside Olivia Hamilton.
Chazelle’s Track Record and Recent Projects
Chazelle made a splash with his second film, Whiplash, which scored a Best Picture nomination at the 87th Academy Awards. He followed that up with La La Land in 2016, a box office smash that swept awards season and saw Chazelle become the youngest ever winner of the Best Director Oscar at just 32. After that, he teamed up with Ryan Gosling for First Man. While critics gave it the thumbs up, it didn’t exactly set the box office alight. His next outing, Babylon, was tipped to be an awards contender, but its three-hour runtime and mixed reviews meant it struggled to find an audience.
It’s been four years since Chazelle last directed a feature. He’d originally planned to follow up Babylon with an Evel Knievel biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio for Paramount, but that’s been put on ice for now, and it’s unclear if DiCaprio is still on board. Instead, Chazelle has shifted focus to his prison drama. With 2026 marking a decade since La La Land hit cinemas, there’s plenty riding on his next move.
High Hopes for Awards Season
Even though it’s early days, Chazelle’s track record with the Oscars means any new project of his is bound to get punters talking. He’s already directed two actors to Academy Award wins: J.K. Simmons picked up Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash, and Emma Stone nabbed Best Actress for La La Land. With Williams’ impressive history of nominations, there’s a fair bit of buzz that this prison drama could finally see her take home the gold.
With a cast that includes Williams, Murphy, and Craig, and Chazelle at the helm, this upcoming film is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases in years. Production is still a way off, but expectations are already sky-high among film fans and industry insiders alike.