By Any Means
Teaser poster
Directed by Elegance Bratton
Written by Sascha Penn
Produced by
  • Alex Lebovici
  • Chester Algernal Gordon
  • Elegance Bratton
  • Basil Iwanyk
  • Erica Lee
  • Mark Wahlberg
  • Stephen Levinson
Starring
  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
  • Mark Wahlberg
  • Nicole Beharie
  • Josh Lucas
  • LisaGay Hamilton
  • LaChanze
  • Ethan Embry
  • David Strathairn
  • Giancarlo Esposito
Cinematography Ante Cheng
Production
companies
  • Hammerstone Studios
  • Thunder Road
  • Freedom Principle Productions
  • Municipal Pictures
  • Ballpoint Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • September 4, 2026 (2026-09-04)
Country United States
Language English

By Any Means is an upcoming American historical crime film directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Beharie, Josh Lucas, LisaGay Hamilton, LaChanze, Ethan Embry, David Strathairn, and Giancarlo Esposito.

By Any Means is scheduled to be released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on September 4, 2026.

Premise

A notorious mafia hitman and a young Black FBI agent team up to investigate the murders of civil rights leaders in Mississippi in 1966.

Cast

  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Special FBI Agent Wayne Strider
  • Mark Wahlberg as Gregory Scarpa
  • Nicole Beharie
  • Giancarlo Esposito as Vernon Dahmer
  • Josh Lucas
  • David Strathairn
  • Ethan Embry
  • LisaGay Hamilton
  • LaChanze

Production

The film is directed by Elegance Bratton and produced by Hammerstone Studios, Thunder Road Films, Freedom Principle, and North.Five.Six. It is based on the 2018 Black List script CI-34, from Sascha Penn and Theodore Witcher. Alex Lebovici is producing for Hammerstone Studios, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Thunder Road Films, Chester Algernal Gordon for Freedom Principle, Stephen Levinson, and Mark Wahlberg for Closest to the Hole Production banner. Wahlberg also leads the cast, initially alongside Sterling K. Brown. In February 2025, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II joined the cast, replacing Brown, due to scheduling conflicts.[1][2]

Principal photography began on April 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia,[3][4] with Ante Cheng serving as the cinematographer.[5] In April, Nicole Beharie, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, Ethan Embry, LisaGay Hamilton, and LaChanze joined the cast.[6] In May, Bright White Light boarded the film.[7] Filming wrapped on June 17, 2025.[8]

Sascha Penn received sole writing credit for the film, with additional literary material (not on-screen) credited to Arash Amel, Elegance Bratton, Andrew Ferguson, and Theodore Witcher.[9]

Release

In April 2026, Paramount Pictures acquired the U.S. distribution rights for By Any Means, with the studio setting a theatrical release date for September 4, 2026.[10]

References

  1. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 20, 2025). "Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Joins Mark Wahlberg In Elegance Bratton's Crime Thriller 'By Any Means'". Deadline Hollywood.
  2. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 30, 2024). "Mark Wahlberg And Sterling K. Brown Set For Elegance Bratton's Crime Thriller 'By Any Means'". Deadline Hollywood.
  3. ^ Ho, Rodney (March 19, 2025). "Mark Wahlberg to shoot historical thriller 'By Any Means' in Atlanta". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Now Filming in Georgia". Georgia Department of Economic Development. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "Ante Cheng Website". Chen Gante]. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  6. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 16, 2025). "Nicole Beharie, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn & More Join Elegance Bratton's Crime Thriller 'By Any Means'". Deadline Hollywood.
  7. ^ Ritman, Alex (May 17, 2025). "Mark Wahlberg Crime Thriller 'By Any Means' Boarded by Bright White Light (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "Mark Wahlberg's "By Any Means" is Currently Filming". Filming in Georgia. June 17, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  9. ^ "By Any Means". Writers Guild of America West. March 2, 2026. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 10, 2026). "Paramount Acquires Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Mark Wahlberg Pic 'By Any Means', Sets Labor Day Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2026.