Angelina Jolie has started work on the upcoming film Sunny, marking her return to the crime drama genre. This Angelina Jolie new thriller Sunny sees her step into the role of a gangster mother trying to protect her children, as filming commences with director Eva Sørhaug at the helm.
Production Begins for Sunny
Following recent performances in Couture—which debuted at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival—and earlier roles in Maria and Eternals, Jolie joins forces with Eva Sørhaug, known for directing episodes of Yellowjackets and Tokyo Vice. Sunny focuses on a mother in the criminal underworld who must shield herself and her sons from an abusive kingpin, racing against time after a disaster leaves her with only hours to devise an escape plan. The film is produced by Gramercy Park Media, A Higher Standard, and Nickel City Pictures.
Jolie’s Continued Influence in Hollywood
Throughout her career, Angelina Jolie has become one of Hollywood‘s most recognizable stars, earning an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted in 1999 and leading films such as Salt, Maleficent, Changeling, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Her involvement with Sunny marks a return to crime drama; her last significant role in a gangster film was in 1998’s Hell Kitchen, which revolved around a group coping with the fallout from a failed robbery.
Creative Team and Storyline
The screenplay for Sunny is written by William Day Frank, recognized for his work on Susie Searches and Fixation, based on a story devised with Eva Sørhaug. Nickel City producer Mark Fasano highlighted Jolie’s performance, stating:
“People are going to be shocked by what she [Jolie] brings with this riveting character. This violent world that Eva and Angelina have crafted is grounded in survival and family led by a mother doing anything and everything within her power to protect her two boys.” – Mark Fasano, Producer
Jolie not only stars in but also produces Sunny, collaborating with Mark Fasano, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard, and Nathan Klingher of Gramercy Park on the project.
Anticipated Impact
With its focus on a mother navigating criminal threats to safeguard her sons, Sunny brings together Jolie’s experience in dramatic roles and Sørhaug’s television direction background. The film’s depiction of survival and family loyalty within an unforgiving world is expected to highlight the strength of Jolie’s character, setting a new tone in her filmography. As production progresses, audiences and critics alike will be watching closely for how this project shapes the next chapter in Angelina Jolie’s career.
