Full Breakdown
The Veterans Secures Sales for Charlie Kaufman's Upcoming Film *Later The War*
5/6/2026, 1:29:40 AM
Announcement of International Sales Representation
L.A.–based sales company The Veterans, led by Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox, announced that it has boarded sales for Charlie Kaufman's next feature, *Later The War*. The comedy-drama is slated to begin principal photography in Cyprus in 2027 and will star Channing Tatum, Tessa Thompson and Patsy Ferran.
Background: Kaufman's Directorial Record and Source Material
*Later The War* marks Kaufman's fourth directorial effort after the 2020 surrealist thriller *I’m Thinking of Ending Things*. His screenwriting résumé includes *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*, *Adaptation* and *Being John Malkovich*. The film adapts Iddo Gefen’s short story “Debby’s Dream House” from the collection *Jerusalem Beach*. In Kaufman's version, Tatum’s character Peekman, a celebrated actor-director, confronts artistic insecurity while his marriage to Thompson’s character Kiki unravels.
Cast and Production Team
Channing Tatum portrays Peekman, a wildly popular actor-director; Tessa Thompson plays his wife Kiki; and Patsy Ferran appears as the poet Debora. Production is overseen by Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment, alongside Sarah Green. The Veterans will handle international sales, with CAA Media Finance managing North-American rights. Representation for the principal parties includes CAA, Hansen Jacobson & Teller, Relevant, Untitled, Jackoway Austen, Tyerman, Shelter, UTA, Independent Talent Group and Goodman Genow & Schenkman.
Tatum joins the project after winning the Sundance Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for the drama *Josephine* and appearing in Derek Cianfrance’s crime caper *Roofman*. Thompson, also a producer under the Viva Maude banner, was most recently seen in Nia DaCosta’s *Hedda* and the Netflix mini-series *His & Hers*, where she serves as an executive producer. Ferran’s upcoming roles include Joel Coen’s gothic thriller *Jack of Spades* opposite Josh O’Connor and Lesley Manville, following recent credits in *Mickey 17* and *Jay Kelly*.
Production Timeline, Cannes Presence, and Upcoming Titles
Principal photography is scheduled for 2027 on the island of Cyprus. The Veterans will promote the film at the Cannes Film Festival, where they are also presenting titles such as James Gray’s *Paper Tiger* (Competition) and Andy Garcia’s *Diamond* (Out of Competition). The Cannes slate also includes Reed van Dyk’s *Atonement* in Directors’ Fortnight, Jean-François Richet’s *Mutiny*, Takashi Miike’s upcoming film starring Charli XCX and Milly Alcock, and *Empire City* starring Gerard Butler.
Official Statements & Responses
In a joint statement, the producers expressed that collaborating with Kaufman is a privilege and emphasized the film’s blend of humor, irreverence and thought-provoking truth-telling, qualities they deem timely for contemporary audiences.
Criticism & Opposition
The source material does not contain any reported criticism or opposing viewpoints regarding the project.
Verbatim Quotes
> “It is a genuine privilege to work with the visionary Charlie Kaufman. Later The War balances humor, irreverence, and wit with the kind of thought-provoking truth-telling Charlie is known for, all of which we need, right now,” — Producers, joint statement
