Charlie Kaufman is officially gearing up to bring Later The War to life, with Tessa Thompson set to co-lead the film alongside Channing Tatum and Patsy Ferran. The comedy-drama is currently slated to begin production in Cyprus in 2027.
The project marks Kaufman’s long-awaited return to the director’s chair following I’m Thinking of Ending Things, continuing a filmography that includes acclaimed works like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation, and Being John Malkovich.
Later The War is adapted from “Debby’s Dream House,” a short story by Iddo Gefen, and centers on Peekman (Tatum), a wildly successful actor-director known for starring in blockbuster comedies alongside his wife Kiki (Thompson). But as his fame grows, so does his internal crisis — leading him to question whether he has anything meaningful to say.
As his marriage begins to unravel, Peekman pivots toward making a serious Holocaust film in search of artistic credibility, while Kiki embarks on her own creative journey with a one-woman show. Things take a further turn when Peekman becomes fixated on Debora (Ferran), a poet who has no idea who he is — and whose approval he desperately seeks.
In true Kaufman fashion, the story blends reality with layered narratives, films within films, and surreal dreamscapes, exploring identity, ego, and the cost of chasing validation in the spotlight.
The film is being produced by Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment, alongside Sarah Green, with international sales handled by The Veterans and North American rights overseen by CAA Media Finance.
For Thompson, the role adds to an already expansive slate that spans acting and producing under her Viva Maude banner. Tatum joins the project following a strong run of recent work, while Ferran continues to build momentum with upcoming roles across film and television.
After years of delays and uncertainty, Later The War is finally moving forward — and with this cast and Kaufman back in his signature storytelling bag, this could easily become one of the most talked-about films heading into its eventual release.