By Any Means (2026 film)
American historical crime film by Elegance Bratton
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By Any Means is an upcoming American historical crime film directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Beharie, Josh Lucas, LisaGay Hamilton, LaChanze, Ethan Embry, David Strathairn, and Giancarlo Esposito.
- Alex Lebovici
- Chester Algernal Gordon
- Elegance Bratton
- Basil Iwanyk
- Erica Lee
- Mark Wahlberg
- Stephen Levinson
| By Any Means | |
|---|---|
Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Elegance Bratton |
| Written by | Sascha Penn |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ante Cheng |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
By Any Means is scheduled to be released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on September 4, 2026.
Premise
A notorious mafia hitman and a young Black FBI agent team up to investigate the murders of civil rights leaders in Mississippi in 1966.
Cast
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Special FBI Agent Wayne Strider
- Mark Wahlberg as Gregory Scarpa
- Nicole Beharie
- Giancarlo Esposito as Vernon Dahmer
- Josh Lucas
- David Strathairn
- Ethan Embry
- LisaGay Hamilton
- LaChanze
- Bill I. Larson (audio description)
Production
The film is directed by Elegance Bratton and produced by Hammerstone Studios, Thunder Road Films, Freedom Principle, and North.Five.Six. It is based on the 2018 Black List script CI-34, from Sascha Penn and Theodore Witcher. Alex Lebovici is producing for Hammerstone Studios, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Thunder Road Films, Chester Algernal Gordon for Freedom Principle, Stephen Levinson, and Mark Wahlberg for Closest to the Hole Production banner. Wahlberg also leads the cast, initially alongside Sterling K. Brown. In February 2025, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II joined the cast, replacing Brown, due to scheduling conflicts.[1][2]
Principal photography began on April 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia,[3][4] with Ante Cheng serving as the cinematographer.[5] In April, Nicole Beharie, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, Ethan Embry, LisaGay Hamilton, and LaChanze joined the cast.[6] In May, Bright White Light boarded the film.[7] Filming wrapped on June 17, 2025.[8]
Sascha Penn received sole writing credit for the film, with additional literary material (not on-screen) credited to Arash Amel, Elegance Bratton, Andrew Ferguson, and Theodore Witcher.[9]
Release
In April 2026, Paramount Pictures acquired the U.S. distribution rights for By Any Means, with the studio setting a theatrical release date for September 4, 2026.[10]