Fresh off the success of “Challengers,” director Luca Guadagnino has wasted no time in moving forward with his next film, “After the Hunt.” The project, which boasts an impressive ensemble cast, has officially entered pre-production in London.
On Saturday, cast members Julia Roberts, Chloë Sevigny, and Ayo Edebiri shared a group photo on social media, seemingly from the first day of pre-production. Sevigny captioned her Instagram post with “#backtowork After The Hunt directed by the great Luca Guadagnino,” while also sharing dinner photos with the director.
The cast photo also included co-stars Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, Lio Meheil, Ariyan Kassam, and Will Price, suggesting that a table read for the film had taken place. Edebiri’s post humorously included a screenshot of Guadagnino urging her to share the photo, emphasizing “Not a story!!!”
“After the Hunt,” written by Nora Garrett, is described as an intense dramatic thriller. The plot centers on a college professor, played by Julia Roberts, who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil accuses one of her colleagues. Complicating matters further, a dark secret from her own past threatens to surface.
The film, which landed at Amazon MGM Studios in March, is being produced by Brian Grazer and Allan Mandelbaum of Imagine Entertainment, along with Guadagnino under his Frenesy banner. Garrett will serve as an executive producer alongside Imagine’s Karen Lunder.
This new project comes on the heels of Guadagnino’s biggest box office opening to date. His previous film, “Challengers,” starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, debuted with a $15 million opening weekend in April.
Guadagnino, known for critically acclaimed films such as “Call Me by Your Name” (2017), “Suspiria” (2018), and “Bones and All” (2022), continues to attract top talent to his projects. “After the Hunt” marks another collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, following the recent release of “Challengers.”
As pre-production gets underway in London, anticipation builds for what promises to be another compelling addition to Guadagnino’s filmography. With its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, “After the Hunt” is already positioning itself as one of the most anticipated films of the coming year.