Black Bear and Artists Equity have partnered on the dramatic feature A Woman in the Sun, starring Renée Zellweger and Sissy Spacek alongside rising star Mia Threapleton.
A Woman in the Sun follows a month in the life of Claire Keating, a bartender on Nantucket and part of the island’s dwindling middle class. When her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home, Claire’s world cracks open. Both fragile and tough, Claire must reckon with her past and take ownership of her future. This multi-generational story explores the beauty, agony, and hilarity of loving other people deeply.
The film is written and directed by WGA Award nominee Julia Cox, the breakout writer of Black Bear’s two-time Academy Award nominee Nyad. Black Bear and Artists Equity are co-financing, with Black Bear to distribute the film in North America and the UK, as well as in Canada via Elevation Pictures.
“As soon as I met Julia, I knew she was destined to be an incredible director, and working with her closely on Nyad only strengthened my belief in her as an artist and leader,” said Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman. “With A Woman in the Sun, she has created that perfect vehicle to transition from acclaimed writer to world-caliber director. The story is both singular and universal, and Julia will no doubt capture unforgettably rich performances from Renée, Sissy, and Mia. Black Bear is honored to back this powerful film alongside our good friends at Artists Equity, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences soon.”
Producing the film are Zellweger and Carmella Casinelli for Big Picture Co., and Kim Roth, with Greg Gertmenian co-producing. Production is slated to begin in September 2026. Black Bear will introduce the project to international buyers at Cannes.
“Championing promising filmmakers like Julia has been central to Big Picture Co’s mission since day one, and we’re thrilled to be part of this very special project and the team who will help realize Julia’s vision. The script is a storytelling treasure, and Julia’s instincts set her apart as an emerging filmmaker. We can’t wait to get started,” said Zellweger.
Cox both wrote and executive produced Nyad, the Black Bear film starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, who both earned Oscar nominations for their performances. Cox also wrote and executive produced the upcoming film Love of Your Life, directed by Oscar nominee Rachel Morrison and starring Margaret Qualley, Gabriel Basso, Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Catherine Keener.
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“Julia has proven herself as a writer, and I’m certain A Woman in the Sun will show the film world she’s equally gifted in the director’s chair,” said Ben Affleck, CEO of Artists Equity. “This is a moving, gripping exploration of a complex family dynamic with something lurking beneath the surface. And behind the scenes, we’ve got a tremendous partner in Black Bear. For us, this is about finding meaningful ways to invest in filmmakers at every stage of their journey, and projects like this are exactly the kind of work we want to be a part of. We’re looking forward to bringing this film to life.”
Zellweger has won two Academy Awards for her roles in Judy and Cold Mountain, on top of nominations for the beloved Bridget Jones’s Diary and Chicago. Other titles in her diverse body of work include Jerry Maguire, Nurse Betty, Me, Myself & Irene, and Cinderella Man.
Spacek has been nominated for six Academy Awards, all for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She won the prize for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in the 1980 hit Coal Minor’s Daughter. Her other nominations were for In the Bedroom, Crimes of the Heart, The River, Missing, and her breakout titular role in the Stephen King adaptation Carrie. Spacek has also been nominated for three Emmys, for Big Love, Last Call, and The Good Old Boys. Recently, Spacek starred in Lynne Ramsey’s Cannes favorite Die My Love.
Threapleton is currently shooting an untitled feature film written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and is also known for her roles in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, and Alan Rickman’s A Little Chaos. On the small screen, she most recently starred in the BAFTA-winning drama I AM RUTH and has appeared in Apple TV’s The Buccaneers and Starz’s Dangerous Liaisons.
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Cox is represented by CAA, Project D Media, Aloft Strateic Communications, and Ziffren Brittenham. Zellwegger is represented by CAA and Imprint PR. Spacek is represented by UTA and MGMT Entertainment. Threapleton is repped by CAA and Markham, Froggatt and Irwin.
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