Rose Byrne and director Mary Bronstein are teaming up again, with a little help from Warner Bros. Clockwork. Deadline reports that the studio’s new independent distributor/specialty film label will be behind “Nasty,” a new thriller set in the world of competitive gymnastics. Margot Robbie‘s LuckyChap banner and Ortega also produce the project.
Bronstein will direct a script by first-timer Isabella Jarosz for “Nasty,” which sounds like a worthy follow-up to her last film with Byrne. Ortega stars in the film as an athlete battling for a spot on the Olympics gymnastics steam, and there’s one major thing blocking her way: her coach, played by Byrne. Jarosz’s “Nasty” script made 2024 Black List, and it’s her first script sale.
No word on if Bronstein will fast-track “Nasty” and make it before her Apple TV series “The Nanny Squatter,” another upcoming project for her. But the smart money will be on “Nasty” coming first. After all, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” was an awards season darling earlier this year, with Byrne earning several nods, including Oscar Best Actress, for her role in the film. We’ll see what happens.
Other upcoming projects for Byrne include the Peacock series “The Good Daughter.” As for Ortega, “Klara And The Sun” arrives in theaters on October 23, while the J.J. Abrams blockbuster “The Great Beyond” just got pushed back to October 1, 2027. Also upcoming for Ortega: “Wednesday” Season 3.
As for Warner Bros. Clockwork, the new indie arm, founded last December and formally introduced at CinemaCon in April remains busy. Their first venture is the upcoming 4k theatrical re-release of Ken Russell‘s 1971 cult classic “The Devils,” but they’re distributing two other upcoming films beyond “Nasty.” They’re buzzy projects, too: Sean Baker‘s follow-up to “Anora,” titled “Ti Amo!,” and Park Chan-wook‘s Western thriller “The Battle Of Brigand Creek.” It’s up in the air which of those three films will reach theaters first.
Stay tuned for more details on “Nasty,” which should start shooting as early as late 2026.
