Paul Walter Hauser and Lili Reinhart are teaming up for a dark, chaotic ride in the upcoming comedy thriller The Very Best People.
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Brian Swibel and is set to begin production in New York on May 22, 2025. Hauser, 38, and Reinhart, 28, will headline a cast that includes Tim Roth, Jake Lacey, Jai Courtney, and Kerry Bishe in what promises to be a wild story full of twisted patriotism, conspiracy theories, and offbeat humor.
The Very Best People is adapted from a stage play of the same name by John Lavelle, who also co-wrote the film’s script alongside Craig Cox, best known for his work on Blades of Glory. The movie unfolds in a Staten Island pub where two childhood friends are thrown into a frenzy after the mysterious shooting of a disgraced NYPD detective. Fueled by delusions of grandeur and radical ideas about the “Deep State,” they embark on a misguided mission for redemption. Their plan spirals into absurdity, triggering a sequence of violent and bizarre events, including what’s being described as a “light-hearted kidnapping.”
This isn’t just a two-person show. The cast is solid, with veteran talent like Tim Roth adding some serious weight and Jai Courtney bringing his usual edge. Jake Lacey and Kerry Bishe round out the supporting lineup, promising a well-balanced mix of intensity and comedy. Behind the scenes, the project is being produced by Brent Emery, Justin Klosky, Alex Peace-Power, Tara Smith, and Bita Khorrami for Swibel’s Triptyk Studios, along with legendary casting director Bonnie Timmermann.
Interestingly, Hauser and Reinhart are also taking on executive producer roles, joined by Dan Reardon and Lisa Wolofsky. That means the two stars are deeply invested in how the story plays out, both in front of and behind the camera. With its smart, satirical tone and timely political undercurrents, The Very Best People has the potential to be more than just a dark comedy, it could turn into a cult hit.
Paul Walter Hauser is riding serious momentum right now. Later this year, he’ll appear in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, starring alongside Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. While details about his character are still under wraps, Hauser has been hyping up the project in interviews, calling it “the Marvel movie of the year.” He’s even gone as far as to say that Fantastic Four could usher in a “new tide of successful storytelling” for the MCU, much like what Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther did in their time.
In a recent interview on Sam Roberts’ SiriusXM show, Hauser described Fantastic Four: First Steps as “a smart, chic Marvel movie” that leans heavily into the family dynamics of its central team. He said, “You really kind of fall in love with those characters, I think,” hinting that this isn’t your typical superhero brawl, it’s got heart and brains too.
As for Lili Reinhart, the Riverdale star continues to break away from her teen drama roots with more grounded, mature, and genre-pushing roles. Pairing her with Hauser, who’s been critically acclaimed for his work in Black Bird, feels like a bold casting move that could pay off big time.
With a plot that sounds just absurd enough to be genius, a talented ensemble cast, and a creative team that blends stage and screen expertise, The Very Best People is definitely a film to watch. Whether it turns into a darkly comic takedown of American delusions or just an entertaining mess of conspiracies and bar fights, it’s shaping up to be one hell of a ride.
- Ralph Macchio Says New Karate Kid Is Martial Arts Mayhem - May 30, 2025
- Jackie Chan Says Rush Hour 3 Failed Because Of Too Much Cash - May 30, 2025
- Khloe Kardashian Gets Trolled By True With Whale Prank - May 30, 2025
