Paul Dano has signed on to star in Paramount Pictures’ upcoming remake of the 1981 cult horror classic Possession, directed and written by Parker Finn. The news marks Dano’s first major foray into the horror genre and adds another high-profile name to a project that has been generating significant industry interest as Deadline reported.
Dano joins previously announced leads Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner in the film. Details about his specific role remain under wraps, with studio sources indicating the part is being kept tightly guarded for now according to TheWrap.
A New Take on a Cult Classic
The project is a contemporary reimagining of Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 psychological horror film, which starred Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill as a married couple whose relationship unravels into something far more disturbing and supernatural in Cold War-era West Berlin. Adjani won the Best Actress prize at Cannes for her unforgettable performance.
Parker Finn, who broke through with the hit Smile (2022) and its 2024 sequel, is writing and directing the new version. This marks his first feature film outside the Smile franchise. Earlier comments from Finn emphasized his deep admiration for the original, describing it as one of his favorite films and stressing the importance of honoring its intense, manic energy while creating something that could connect with both longtime fans and new audiences as CBR noted.
Strong Producing Team
The film is being produced by Jonathan Fass through Finn’s Bad Feeling banner, alongside Roy Lee and Andrew Childs for Vertigo Entertainment, and Robert Pattinson through his production company. Marc Bienstock is serving as executive producer.
Pattinson’s involvement dates back to the project’s early development stages, when it sparked a competitive bidding war among several major studios before landing at Paramount as The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Building Momentum
The casting of Qualley and Turner was first reported earlier this year, with Qualley stepping into the role originally played by Adjani (who has reportedly given her blessing to the casting). Turner is expected to portray the counterpart to Sam Neill’s character. Dano’s addition further strengthens the ensemble for what many are viewing as a prestige horror project with elevated ambitions as Bloody Disgusting covered.
Finn has built a strong reputation for delivering commercially successful and critically engaging horror with the Smile films. Industry observers see Possession as an opportunity for him to expand his range while tackling a challenging, highly regarded source material as Dread Central noted.
What’s Next
Production is expected to begin soon, with reports indicating a possible start in July. No release date has been announced yet.
Dano’s recent and upcoming work includes starring in Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin and upcoming projects such as Florian Zeller’s Bunker, Ramin Bahrani’s Vegas: A Love Story, and A24’s The Chaperones. His move into horror with Finn’s film represents a notable new chapter in a career that has spanned acclaimed dramas, blockbusters like The Batman, and independent features.
The combination of Finn’s horror sensibilities, a respected original film, and a cast that now includes Dano, Qualley, and Turner has positioned Possession as one of the more intriguing horror remakes currently in development as Screen Rant reported.
