Walton Goggins and Amber Midthunder are teaming up for the new film Painter, produced by James Cameron, with a story by John Wick writer Derek Kolstad. This collaboration, bringing together well-known actors and acclaimed filmmaking talent, promises an action-packed narrative centered on a daring rescue mission.
Overview of the New Project and Cast Roles
Painter centers on Midthunder’s character, a highly skilled young woman who must use her honed abilities to save her father, played by Goggins, after he is kidnapped. Initially, Alan Ritchson, known for his role in Reacher, was cast as the father but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts.
Garrett Warren, an experienced stunt coordinator who has worked alongside James Cameron on the Avatar films, is making his debut as Painter’s director. His transition from stunt coordinator to director follows a path similar to Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, co-directors of the John Wick series, connecting the film’s roots in action-driven storytelling.
Connections Between Cast and Crew
Walton Goggins and Garrett Warren share previous experience from their time on Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, which adds additional collaborative depth to the project. Goggins has become increasingly prominent throughout 2025, balancing multiple TV roles and frequent appearances in commercials, further raising his profile.
Concerns Over Industry Overexposure
Despite his rising visibility, Goggins faces warnings about potential overexposure within the industry. Pete Davidson, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, expressed his concerns during a recent podcast appearance, comparing Goggins’ trajectory to that of actor Pedro Pascal, who quickly went from relative obscurity to ubiquitous presence in entertainment.
Look at Pedro Pascal right now. F—ing two years ago he’s a hardworking, great actor…And then a year later, he’s, like, in everything now ’cause he’s hot and big and everyone’s like, ‘Go the f— away, dude.’ They’re gonna do it with Walton Goggins, [he] will be next. It’s like, we build everybody up and now it’s so fast to turn. It’s within months.
— Pete Davidson, Comedian and Actor
Meanwhile, Amber Midthunder has managed to maintain steady momentum without signs of similar burnout, with two notable releases in 2025, Novocaine and Opus. Her increasing reputation as a leading action star is supported by her ongoing connection to the Predator franchise.
Amber Midthunder’s Future and Predator Franchise Status
Midthunder first gained wide acclaim for her role as Naru, the Comanche warrior in Prey, which revived the dormant Predator series. However, the upcoming Predator: Badlands, a sequel from director Dan Trachtenberg, will not continue her story, despite the apparent narrative setup for a direct follow-up.
Speaking about the prospects of returning to the character, Midthunder said in a recent interview she remains uncertain about the timing but is eager to revisit the role.
I don’t know what’s happening. [Laughs] I genuinely don’t. I also want to do another one. I would be happy to do another one. I love Dan Trachtenberg with my whole heart. I love that world, I love that character, and I think that there’s some fun ideas out there that I’ve heard that are very cool.
— Amber Midthunder, Actress
Her rising stature as an action heroine is expected to grow further with Painter, where under James Cameron’s executive production, she could deepen her standing alongside legendary actresses like Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton, who Cameron helped shape into action icons.
James Cameron’s Expanding Film Slate
James Cameron’s involvement as executive producer signals potential creative influence, but his current focus remains on other major projects. Avatar 3 is scheduled for release on December 19, with two additional Avatar sequels planned afterward. Alongside these, Cameron is developing The Devils, a historical thriller he described to Empire magazine as being off its t—s.
At present, Painter does not have an announced release date from 20th Century Studios, leaving audiences eager for further updates on this high-profile collaboration.
