David Mamet to Direct Anthony Mackie, Sharon Stone in ‘Speed-the-Plow’ Film Adaptation

David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter, is returning to the director’s chair for a film adaptation of his 1988 Tony Award-winning play, Speed-the-Plow. The project, a biting satire of the Hollywood studio system, has been a long-gestating ambition for Mamet, and is now set to begin production on February 18, 2026, in Atlanta.

The film boasts a formidable cast led by Anthony Mackie, currently preparing for his role in the upcoming Marvel film Captain America: Brave New World, and Oscar nominee Sharon Stone, who will also appear in the third season of HBO’s Euphoria. Joining them are Ben Mendelsohn, known for his work in Dark Knight Rises, and rising star Emily Alyn Lind, who is set to direct her own project backed by Killer Films and Wagner Entertainment later this year.

Speed-the-Plow centers on the machinations within the fictional American Prestige Studios. Mackie will portray Bob Grant, a junior executive unexpectedly promoted to head of production, a position for which he is ill-equipped. Mendelsohn will play Charlie Fox, a seasoned studio veteran who either aids or hinders Grant’s efforts. Lind will take on the role of Karen, an office temp, while Stone embodies Gemma Speed, a volatile and unpredictable movie star. Rebecca Pidgeon will portray PR flack Georgia Cornchuk-Stein, and Chris Bauer will appear as a Malibu recluse.

The original 1988 stage production of Speed-the-Plow was notable for its cast, featuring Joe Mantegna, Ron Silver (who won a Tony Award for his performance), and Madonna. This new adaptation promises to diverge from the play, updating the story to reflect the significant changes in the film industry over the past four decades.

Mamet’s return to directing comes after a nearly 17-year hiatus from Hollywood filmmaking, following the release of 2008’s Redbelt. He briefly returned to the screen last year with the independently produced Henry Johnson, shot in just five days. This new project, however, signals a return to a more traditional studio production, backed by Filmopoly’s Vince Jolivette and Richie Hill, Steak & Rosé’s Tyler Payne and Douglas Riggs, Jiarui Guo, and Anthony Short.

The Solution Entertainment Group, represented by Myles Nestel and Lisa Wilson, will handle international sales at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin. Alan B. Bursteen of Milestone Studios negotiated the international sales agreement.

Mamet is a celebrated figure in American theater and cinema, known for his distinctive, often cynical, and highly stylized dialogue – a style that has become known as “Mamet-speak.” Beyond Speed-the-Plow, he is the author of the acclaimed play Glengarry Glen Ross, which he also adapted for the screen. His screenwriting credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Untouchables, and Wag the Dog, while his directorial efforts include The Spanish Prisoner and Heist.

The casting of Mackie is particularly noteworthy, given his rising profile as a leading man in Hollywood. He is currently involved in several high-profile projects, including Apple’s 12 12 12 and Avengers: Doomsday. Mendelsohn continues to be a sought-after character actor, with an upcoming role in Cary Fukunaga’s Blood On Snow alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Stone’s addition to the cast adds a significant star power and a veteran presence to the project.

For Mamet, Speed-the-Plow represents not only a return to directing but also a chance to revisit a work that has long held personal significance. The film’s production marks a significant moment for the director and a potentially sharp commentary on the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.