Prague is set to become a major filmmaking hub this spring as Martin Scorsese begins production on his latest feature, What Happens at Night. The project, an adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel for Apple Original Films, has already drawn an impressive ensemble cast, and is now welcoming Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Mads Mikkelsen to the Czech capital.
DiCaprio confirmed his arrival in Prague, stating he would be joining Scorsese “in two weeks,” during a recent appearance at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. He spoke of the “incredible learning process” of working with the legendary director, praising Scorsese’s deep understanding of cinema history and his ability to infuse that knowledge into his work. The actor was recently nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, further cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s leading men.
Mikkelsen’s involvement was confirmed on , ending weeks of speculation. He will portray Brother Emmanuel, a faith healer whose reputation attracts visitors to a remote, snowbound town central to the story. The character is described as enigmatic, with his powers remaining ambiguous and tied to questions of belief. This role aligns with Mikkelsen’s established career of portraying morally complex characters, including Hannibal Lecter and roles in Casino Royale and Doctor Strange.
Lawrence, also joining Scorsese for the first time, rounds out the leading cast. Patricia Clarkson has also been confirmed as part of the ensemble. The collaboration marks the seventh time DiCaprio has worked with Scorsese, following acclaimed films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Shutter Island. Scorsese’s last film, Killers of the Flower Moon, received ten Academy Award nominations in .
Filming is scheduled to begin next week, with location shoots planned in Prague’s city center at the end of and continuing into mid-. The project is a partnership between Apple Original Films and Studiocanal, and is registered with the Czech Audiovisual Fund, signaling a full-scale production within the country.
The story centers on an American couple who travel to a snowy European town with the intention of adopting a child. However, their plans are complicated by the unsettling atmosphere and eccentric inhabitants of the Grand Imperial Hotel Borgarfjaroasysla, where they are staying. The novel depicts a surreal and unsettling environment populated by characters such as an aging singer, a decadent businessman, and the mysterious Brother Emmanuel.
The screenplay is written by Patrick Marber, adapting Cameron’s novel for the screen. The narrative explores themes of reality, doubt, and the complexities of relationships as the couple’s perceptions are challenged by their surroundings and the enigmatic figures they encounter.
While the exact financial incentives the production will receive from the Czech Republic remain undisclosed – the State Fund for Audiovisual Culture citing “trade secrets” – the influx of a project of this scale is significant for the local film industry. In , film productions requested 9.5 billion Czech crowns in incentives, a nearly 140 percent increase from the previous year. The What Happens at Night project may have been registered under a different working title to maintain secrecy, a common practice within the industry.
The arrival of What Happens at Night adds to Prague’s growing reputation as a desirable location for major film and television productions. Currently, the American series The Age of Innocence is also filming in the Czech Republic, with scenes recently shot at the Prague-Dejvice railway station.
