Cynthia Erivo, fresh off her Oscar nomination for Wicked, has just locked in her next major movie role. The multi-talented Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner will star in Karoshi, an action-packed thriller from Lionsgate that blends corporate intrigue with a samurai twist.
Erivo will share the screen with Past Lives breakout Teo Yoo and 1923 actress Isabel May, with Takashi Doscher—who’s known for writing and directing the post-apocalyptic thriller Only—at the helm. While plot and character details remain under wraps, early buzz describes Karoshi as a corporate thriller set in a Japanese-influenced New York City, with a gripping revenge element. The title, “karoshi,” is a Japanese term that refers to sudden death caused by overwork, setting the stage for a high-stakes, fast-paced narrative.
Producers Chad Stahelski, Alex Young, and Jason Spitz of 87Eleven Entertainment are bringing this intriguing project to life, with production slated to begin in June. Lionsgate’s partnership with 87Eleven has already made waves, and Karoshi is one of the first films to come out of this exciting collaboration.
Erivo continues to be one of Hollywood’s busiest and most celebrated stars. Her stunning performance as Elphaba in Wicked earned her an Oscar nomination, and she’ll reprise the role in Wicked: For Good, hitting theaters on November 21. She also wowed audiences with her dynamic performance during the Oscars opening number earlier this month.
In addition to Karoshi, Erivo has a packed schedule ahead. She’s set to star as Jesus in the Jesus Christ Superstar production at the Hollywood Bowl this summer and will host the 2025 Tony Awards. Fans can also catch her in Children of Blood and Bone, a film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s novel, where she’ll star alongside a star-studded cast, including Viola Davis and Idris Elba. And don’t miss her in Season 2 of Poker Face, where she’ll appear as a set of sextuplets.
Erivo also recently dropped the single “Replay,” the first track off her upcoming album, showing that she’s ready to take the music world by storm.
As if that weren’t enough, Erivo will also make her mark at WorldPride 2025, headlining the first night of the free street festival on June 7-8 in Washington, D.C., bringing her undeniable star power to this cultural celebration.
With her busy slate, Erivo is clearly a force to be reckoned with in both the entertainment and cultural worlds. Keep your eyes peeled—this is just the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling ride for this talented powerhouse.