Teyonah Parris Set to Star Opposite Denzel Washington in Untitled Thriller

Teyonah Parris is set to star opposite Denzel Washington in a new thriller from Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. Deadline reported the casting as an exclusive on 5 November 2026.

The film does not have a title yet. Christopher McQuarrie, who has directed several of the Mission: Impossible films, is on board to direct. Scott Barkan and Gregg Zehentner wrote the script.

The story follows a former police detective who is serving a life sentence. He is then diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

McQuarrie will produce alongside Heather McQuarrie, Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Joseph Restaino, Reza Moheet, Norman Aladjem, Katia Washington and Tommy Harper. A long list of producers is common on a film of this size, since each name can represent a financing partner, a production company or a key creative role.

The studio has set a theatrical release date of 1 October 2027. "Theatrical" means the film is planned for cinemas first, before it reaches streaming or home video. A release date is a studio's planned date, and it can move as a production schedule develops. That is a common occurrence in the industry, and the date is worth watching in the months ahead.

For readers who follow the business, the pairing is the main news. Parris and Washington are both well-known names, and their names together give the project a clear hook for audiences and for the marketing team that will sell it. For now, the film is still in its early stages, with a writing team, a director and a date in place, and the cast and plot details still to come.