Oscar nominee Giancarlo Giannini has boarded the independent superhero thriller Bunny‑Man, joining James Franco, Bella Thorne, Mike Tyson and Brazilian actor Débora Nascimento in a cast now shooting in Turin, Italy. The feature is produced by Andrea Iervolino’s Motus Studios, which touts the project as the first step toward an Italian‑born masked‑hero franchise.
Written by Daniel H. Friedman with Iervolino, the script follows an anonymous multimillionaire who dons a rabbit mask to avenge his sister’s suicide after an assault video went viral, blending vigilante tropes with giallo‑style psychological horror. Supporting players include Michele Morrone, Franco Nero and Ana Golja, and Iervolino is expected to appear as the costumed hero himself.
Industry listings show principal photography began on 28 February and combines practical sets in Piedmont with virtual‑production stages designed to deliver stylised comic‑book visuals on an indie budget. Tyson wrapped his scenes before resuming boxing training, and producers plan to release a companion music single alongside the film’s rollout.
Giannini—still celebrated for his Cannes‑winning Love and Anarchy performance and his later turn as Bond ally René Mathis—brings veteran gravitas at 82 years old. Franco’s role extends his measured comeback after settling misconduct claims in 2021, a move observers note continues to attract scrutiny in the United States even as European financiers value his marquee draw.
Motus is shopping the film internationally after a Cannes market preview, with an initial Brazilian release pencilled for March 2026 and wider dates to follow. Early fan chatter, sparked by leaked concept art of the latex rabbit suit, oscillates between curiosity and scepticism over whether an indie team can meet escalating comic‑movie expectations.
