Woody Harrelson to Lead Sicily-Set Suspense Drama Summer of Roses

Woody Harrelson will lead Summer of Roses, a suspense drama set to shoot in Sicily, Deadline reported exclusively on 14 September 2026. The news was published as an exclusive, meaning the outlet carried it first.

Harrelson plays Thomas. He is a wealthy American expatriate, meaning an American living outside the United States, and is described as being in an intoxicated free-fall. That short description is all that has been made public about the story so far.

Three other actors have been cast alongside him. They are Caleb Landry Jones, Hannah Gross and Kaya Wilkins. Wilkins also makes music under the name Okay Kaya. No character details for the three were disclosed.

Rick Alverson will direct the film. He co-wrote the script with Micah Jayne, so the director is also one of its writers. That is a common setup in independent film, where the person behind the camera helps shape the story from the page.

Sicily is locked as the shoot location. The Italian island in the Mediterranean will serve as the backdrop for Thomas's life abroad. No further plot details have been shared.

The business structure behind the film has also been set out. Low Spark Films is financing Summer of Roses in association with It's Not Pork and new-land, Deadline reported. In practice, that means Low Spark is providing the funding, with the two other companies attached as partners. The financing has been organised ahead of the shoot.

WME Independent is attached as producer rep. That role involves advising the producers and presenting the film to distributors and buyers who can put it into cinemas or onto platforms. Such representatives are standard on independent productions seeking cinema or streaming deals.

What makes this stand out is how much of the package arrived together. Lead actor, supporting cast, director-writers, location, backer and sales representative were all named in a single announcement. That gives the production a clear starting point.

For fans, this means attention turns to the shoot itself. Filming will establish the look of the Sicily-set story. Casting news, first images and distribution plans tend to follow once cameras are rolling. Independent films of this type often secure distribution after filming, once buyers can see footage.