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“Last Meals,” the upcoming drama from Oscar nominated writer-director Ramin Bahrani (“The White Tiger,” “99 Homes”) and starring Mads Mikkelson in the lead role, has expanded its cast as the start of principal photography
nears.
BAFTA and Emmy nominee Tessa Thompson (“Hedda,” “Creed”) and two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road,” “Nocturnal Animas”) have joined the feature, which will also star Boyd Holbrook.
The film, based on the Academy Nicholl Award-winning screenplay by Justin Piasecki (“Relay”), comes from Sentient Entertainment, with HanWay Films handling international sales. Production is due to start in the fall.
“Last Meals” sees Mikkelson play Walter Karat, a former White House Chef whose fall from grace lands him in the kitchen of a maximum security prison cooking for death row inmates. But his carefully controlled existence is disrupted by Reed (Holbrook), an inmate who refuses both food and the time Walter attempts to give him. As Walter confronts Reed, an unexpected and deeper connection develops between the two men, and Walter begins to believe Reed may be innocent. Their growing bond drives Walter to uncover the truth.
Thompson will play Hannah, an ambitious local food critic who becomes drawn into the Walter’s story, while Shannon will play Governor George Callahan, a consequential figure in the political and clemency battle at the film’s center.
Together, Walter, Reed and Hannah embark on a journey of guilt, reconciliation and justice. As their efforts capture national attention amid a heated presidential campaign and place Reed’s plight in the spotlight, Walter faces a life-defining choice: pursue a second chance at career glory or risk everything to fight for something that truly matters.
“Last Meals” is produced by Emmy, Golden Globe and PGA Award-nominated producer Renée Tab (“Dead Ringers,” “Feud: Bette and Joan,” “Sound of Freedom”) for Sentient Entertainment. Tab also serves as an executive producer on Bahrani’s “Vegas: A Love Story”, currently in post-production.
The film reunites Shannon with Bahrani following their acclaimed collaborations on “99 Homes” and HBO’s “Fahrenheit 451.” Shannon also stars in “Vegas: A Love Story.”
HanWay Films has already locked a number of territorial sales. Completed deals include Japan (Synca Creations); Benelux (Paradiso Filmed Entertainment); Australia & New Zealand (Transmission Films); Spain (Vertigo Films); Switzerland (Pathe); Turkey (Chantier); Singapore (Shaw Renters); Greece (The Film Group); Middle East (Front Row); The Baltics (Acme Film); Portugal (Nos Lusomundo); Former Yugoslavia (Blitz Group). Furthermore, Forum Film Ltd has acquired multiple territories including Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, with worldwide airlines handled by Skeye Inflight Entertainment.
Sentient Entertainment has additionally confirmed territorial partnerships with Vuelta Germany in Germany and Austria, and Scanbox in Scandinavia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tessa Thompson and Michael Shannon to ‘Last Meals,’ joining Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook in this extraordinary ensemble,” said Tab. “It is an honor to work with artists of this caliber and to bring Ramin Bahrani’s vision of Justin Piasecki’s Academy Nicholl Award-winning screenplay to the screen.”
HanWay Films continues to oversee international sales, with UTA Independent Film Group, WME and Sentient Entertainment covering North America.
“We are excited that ‘Last Meals’ is going to shoot this autumn,” said Gabrielle Stewart, HanWay Films CEO. “Tessa Thompson and Michael Shannon are two exceptional actors joining an already formidable ensemble and the roster of great distribution partners is testimony to the quality of this significant project.”
Executive producers include Charles Porter of Black Bench Productions, Blessed From Above, Hoss Productions and Miller Way. Mikkeslen, Bahrani, Piasecki, Thompson and Holbrook will also executive produce.
Thompson most recently starred in and executive produced Netflix’s “His & Hers,” which became the platform’s most-watched show globally in the first half of 2026, with 104 million views. Her credits also include “Passing,” the “Creed” franchise, “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Westworld” and “Sylvie’s Love.” She recently made her broadway stage debut opposite Adrien Brody in “The Fear of 13.”
Shannon’s credits include “Revolutionary Road,” “Nocturnal Animals,” “The Shape of Water,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “George & Tammy.”
