Luc Besson’s upcoming action thriller ‘Father Joe’ will feature an impressive lineup, including Emmy-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland and iconic star Al Pacino. Alongside them is Ever Anderson, known for her role in ‘Black Widow’. The film’s production is set to begin in mid-October, with Barthélémy Grossmann directing, and is produced by LB Production and EuropaCorp, the studios behind Besson’s previous hits such as ‘Taken’ and ‘Lucy’. This new project will be set during the 1990s, centering on a city torn by conflict.
Character Roles and Plot Overview
In ‘Father Joe’, Kiefer Sutherland takes on the role of a man of faith engaged in a fierce battle against the city’s criminal underworld. Sutherland will also contribute as a producer on the film. Al Pacino will portray a powerful mob boss whose criminal operations come into direct conflict with Father Joe’s mission. Ever Anderson will play a young woman caught between these two opposing forces, representing the human element within this intense power struggle.
Sutherland’s Enthusiasm for the Project
Speaking with Variety, Kiefer Sutherland expressed his admiration for Luc Besson’s filmmaking style. He said,
I have been a fan of Luc Besson going back to ‘Subway’. As a director and a writer, he has a unique capacity to weave drama and action together without sacrificing either. I’m so excited about this opportunity to work with him as the writer of ‘Father Joe’ and director Barthélémy Grossmann. I can’t wait to get started.
– Kiefer Sutherland, Actor and Producer
Recent Work and Upcoming Releases by Luc Besson
Earlier this year, Luc Besson released ‘Dracula: a Love Story’, a French gothic romance starring Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz. The film achieved strong box office results internationally, especially in Latin America and Russia, where it ranked as one of the top foreign hits since 2022. ‘Dracula: a Love Story’ is also scheduled to be showcased at the 20th Rome Film Festival in October 2025 under the ‘Grand public’ non-competitive category, with a North American theatrical release planned for February 6, 2026.
Anticipated Impact of ‘Father Joe’
With Al Pacino and Kiefer Sutherland leading the cast, alongside Ever Anderson, ‘Father Joe’ aims to combine intense action with dramatic storytelling under Luc Besson’s signature direction. Backed by EuropaCorp and LB Production, the film is positioned to attract wide audiences by exploring complex themes set against a gritty 1990s cityscape. As production begins, expectations are high for the film to continue Besson’s track record of successful thrillers, offering a gripping narrative that pits faith and crime in dramatic confrontation.
