Get ready for a wild ride! Josh Hartnett is back, but this time he's not just acting – he's producing too, in the upcoming action-thriller All Day & All Night. But here's the twist: the legendary Tommy Wirkola, the mastermind behind Violent Night and the Dead Snow franchise, is directing. This collaboration promises a unique blend of adrenaline-pumping action and Wirkola's signature dark humor.
In a move that's sure to excite fans, Hartnett will embody Billy Davies, a reformed bank robber. The film, penned by Wirkola and John Niven, sees Billy forced to embrace his criminal past to fund his daughter's Harvard education. The production is slated for 2026, giving us plenty of time to anticipate the mayhem.
But here's where it gets controversial... What happens when a bank heist goes sideways and crashes onto the set of a failing reality TV show? According to the official synopsis, Billy and his crew find themselves in just that predicament. To survive, Billy must navigate not only the cops on his tail but also a ruthless mob seeking his demise, all while keeping the reality show producers happy enough to stay on air. The producers, desperate to boost ratings and avoid cancellation, are equally determined to keep Billy in the spotlight.
XYZ Films, with backing from IPR.VC, is financing and producing the film, and they're set to launch worldwide sales at the American Film Market (AFM) next month. Guy Danella, XYZ's President of Film, will oversee the project. Danella's prior experience includes producing Universal's Violent Night, also directed by Wirkola, solidifying their successful working relationship.
This isn't the first time XYZ Films and Wirkola have joined forces. They previously executive produced Dead Snow 2: Red Vs Dead in 2014 and produced The Trip, which Netflix released in 2021. Their partnership extends to an English-language remake of The Trip, titled Over Your Dead Body, directed by Jorma Taccone and starring Jason Segel and Samara Weaving, set for release by IFC next year. Wirkola serves as an executive producer on this remake.
Hartnett's schedule is packed. He's currently finishing up work on MGM/Amazon’s Verity, based on Colleen Hoover's novel and slated for release in October 2026, as well as the Netflix miniseries Untitled Newfoundland Project. Wirkola is equally busy, having just completed Violent Night 2, scheduled for release in December 2026, and Shiver for Sony, starring Phoebe Dynevor which he wrote, directed, and produced, set to release July 2026.
Wirkola expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I’ve been a fan of Josh Hartnett’s work for as long as I can remember and I can’t wait to go make All Day & All Night with him, along with my friends at XYZ."
Danella echoed this sentiment: "Tommy brings a singular vision to everything he creates, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with him once again to turn another genre construct on its head. Josh is an icon and was the first actor Tommy and XYZ approached with the project. Together, we’ve assembled the dream team to bring this film to life."
All Day & All Night seems poised to deliver a unique blend of action, thriller, and dark comedy. Will the combination of Hartnett's talent and Wirkola's vision create a truly memorable movie experience? And this is the part most people miss: how will the commentary on reality television and its impact on society be woven into the narrative? Could the film be interpreted as a critique of our obsession with fame, even at the expense of genuine human connection? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below!
