The Thicket (film)

The Thicket is an upcoming Western film directed by Elliott Lester and written by Cristopher Kelley. It is a film adaptation of the 2013 novel by Joe R. Lansdale. It stars Peter Dinklage (also producer), Juliette Lewis, Levon Hawke, Leslie Grace and Gbenga Akinnagbe.

Cast

 * Peter Dinklage as Reginald Jones, a bounty hunter helping Jack
 * Juliette Lewis as Cut Throat Bill, a gang leader
 * Esmé Creed-Miles as Lula, Jack's sister
 * Levon Hawke as Jack, a man searching for his sister
 * Leslie Grace as a prostitute
 * Gbenga Akinnagbe as an ex-slave
 * Macon Blair
 * James Hetfield
 * Ned Dennehy
 * Andrew Schulz
 * Arliss Howard

Production
Peter Dinklage has been attached to the project for many years, being linked with the project in 2014 along with producer Gianni Nunnari, Shannon Gaulding and Andre Lemmers. The film has been described as a "passion project" for him. The film began pre-production in February 2020 with Dinklage, Noomi Rapace and Charlie Plummer joining the cast, but was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In early 2023, Juliette Lewis joined the cast to replace Rapace. Metallica frontman James Hetfield was confirmed as amongst the cast. The Exchange (Caddy Vanasirikul and Brian O'Shea), Orogen Entertainment, Nomadic Pictures (Chad Oakes and Michael Frislev) and Elliott Lester also produced the film.

Filming
Principal photography began in Calgary, Canada on March 1 and wrapped on March 30, 2023.

Release
Tubi acquired North American rights when it joined as co-financier, while The Exchange handles international distribution. It is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films on September 6, 2024. Additionally, the film is set to make its French debut at the 2024 Deauville American Film Festival the week of September 8.