Director James Mangold, known for his work on Logan, is preparing to direct his next major film, a heist thriller starring Timothée Chalamet. The project, officially confirmed this week, will be produced by Paramount following an intense bidding war among several studios. The partnership reunites Mangold and Chalamet after their collaboration on the biopic A Complete Unknown.
This new film, currently titled High Side, is a thriller that combines gripping crime elements with emotional depth, set to feature Chalamet as a former motocross racer caught between his troubled past and tense family dynamics. Paramount‘s acquisition of the film signals strong studio support for original storytelling that merges action with character-driven drama.
Paramount Secures Project After Competitive Auction
According to Variety, David Ellison, CEO and Chairman of Paramount Skydance Corporation, played a key role in winning the project for Paramount amid fierce competition from other studios. High Side is described as blending the intensity of films like Heat with the emotional weight of Hollywood Land’s Hell or High Water. It will follow Chalamet’s character, who is haunted by a career-ending motocross accident and a fraught family history, as he becomes involved in bank heists alongside his estranged brother, all while under FBI surveillance.
Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating:
“We’re thrilled to be in business with visionary artists like James and Timothée, and exceptional collaborators like Peter and David at Chernin. What Jaime has created reflects the kind of bold, original storytelling we’re committed to championing at Paramount – and we couldn’t be more excited to hit the ground running with High Side.”
—Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Co-Chairs, Paramount Pictures
James Mangold’s Return to Crime Storytelling
James Mangold commented on Paramount’s commitment to the project, emphasizing his excitement to work once again with Chalamet and their producing partners. He praised the studio’s dedication to
“original, story-driven filmmaking on the big screen,”
which facilitated the collaboration. Mangold also highlighted his respect and affection for Chalamet as a creative partner and artist:
“a real commitment to original, story-driven filmmaking on the big screen, and this passion made it easy for Timothée, Peter, and me to land on this project. Timothée is a trusted collaborator, a generational artist, and a person I adore. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and work together again.”
—James Mangold, Director
This film will mark Mangold’s return to the crime genre since his early career film Cop Land, starring Sylvester Stallone. High Side offers Mangold a fresh opportunity to explore crime drama with new depth and sophistication, signaling an evolution in his approach to storytelling in this genre. Meanwhile, Chalamet’s acclaimed recent performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Creative Team Behind High Side and Production Timeline
High Side’s screenplay is penned by Jaimie Oliveira, who developed the original story treatment that attracted Paramount’s interest. Although the film does not have a confirmed production start date, scheduling may be affected by Chalamet’s commitments, including the upcoming filming of Dune 3, set to begin this summer.
With the film anchored by high-profile talents and backed by a major studio like Paramount, High Side is shaping up to be a compelling addition to the year’s slate of original thrillers. Its blend of emotional complexity and tense action underscores the continued demand for bold storytelling in contemporary cinema, which both Mangold and Chalamet are well positioned to deliver.
