Walton Goggins has joined Amber Midthunder in Painter, an action thriller newly set up at 20th Century Studios with James Cameron on board as executive producer. The project, written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, centers on a young woman who has been trained since childhood and must deploy those skills to save her kidnapped father. Painter marks the feature directing debut of veteran stunt coordinator Garrett Warren and arrives at the studio via FilmNation’s Infrared Pictures banner.
The casting pairs two recent small-screen standouts: Goggins drew attention this year for The White Lotus and for his turn in Fallout, while Midthunder has continued to build a film and television slate following her breakout in Prey. Behind the scenes, the film is produced by Infrared’s Drew Simon and Sam Speiser alongside Kolstad and his manager Josh Adler, with J.R. Young overseeing for 20th Century Studios. The package reflects a mix of seasoned action talent and studio backing, a combination that often signals a fast-track path from development to production.
Painter has seen at least one significant change during pre-production: Alan Ritchson, who had been previously attached opposite Midthunder, exited due to scheduling, opening the slot that Goggins now fills. With Warren making the jump from second-unit and stunt leadership to the director’s chair, the film draws on a tradition of action projects guided by filmmakers steeped in practical set pieces and physical storytelling. The studio’s acquisition gives the title a clear home after being shopped, aligning it with a pipeline that has supported character-driven genre fare alongside franchise entries.
While plot specifics beyond the rescue premise are under wraps, the creative package points to a contained, skills-forward thriller designed around a star-duo dynamic. For Midthunder, the role continues her run of physically demanding parts anchored by resilient protagonists. For Goggins, it offers a pivot from recent prestige television into a studio action vehicle, with Cameron’s executive-producer role adding marquee oversight as the project advances through development.
