Matthew Modine Leads New Film With Neeson

Matthew Modine has set his next film in motion, stepping in as both director and star of The Splendid Thing while Liam Neeson and John Cleese join the cast.

The project arrives at the Cannes Market with Hyde Park International, a move that signals the film has entered a key phase as buyers, financiers, and partners scan the slate. Reports indicate the production plans to begin principal photography on location in Italy in late August 2026, giving the package a firm production target and a strong international backdrop.

A recognizable cast, a director-star at the center, and a Cannes Market launch give The Splendid Thing an early profile boost.

The announcement stands out because it ties together three well-known screen names under one title without overloading the public with premature detail. Sources suggest the filmmakers are still holding back broader story information, but the combination of Modine behind and in front of the camera, alongside Neeson and Cleese, gives the project immediate visibility in a crowded market.

One other piece of the package has also emerged: the screenplay was co-written, though the available report does not fully detail the writing credits in the source summary. That leaves open the larger question of tone, genre, and scale, but the production timeline and cast attachments already give distributors and audiences a clear sense that this is more than an early-stage concept.

What comes next matters. As the Cannes Market unfolds, industry attention will likely focus on whether the film secures additional sales momentum and reveals more about its story and creative team. For now, The Splendid Thing has something every market title wants: a defined shoot date, an international location, and a trio of familiar names strong enough to cut through the noise.