Denzel Washington to Star in Crime Thriller Before Black Panther 3
WHO:
Coming Soon - Denzel Washington is attached to star in an untitled thriller directed by Christopher McQuarrie.
Coming Soon - McQuarrie is described as the director of *Mission: Impossible 6*.
Screen Rant - Denzel Washington is set to star in a new crime thriller directed by a filmmaker who has helmed multiple *Mission: Impossible* movies.
Coming Soon - United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios are involved with the untitled thriller.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Amazon greenlit the thriller and plans a theatrical release.
The Hollywood Reporter - The film was previously referred to as *The Frame*.
The Hollywood Reporter - The story follows a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Granted compassionate release with six months to live, he returns home to his estranged daughter and an unknown grandson; the film’s logline says, “his dark past has not forgotten him.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Scott Barkan and Gregg Zehentner wrote the thriller.
The Hollywood Reporter - Producers include Heather McQuarrie, Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Joseph Restaino, Reza Moheet, Norman Aladjem, Katia Washington, and Tommy Harper. Tony Stopperan, Tim Honigman, and Joe Guest are executive producers.
Coming Soon - Washington and McQuarrie are teaming up on an untitled thriller described as gritty.
Coming Soon - Washington’s new role puts his plans for a Hannibal project on hold.
Coming Soon - The article says the thriller is planned before *Black Panther 3*.
Screen Rant - A new crime thriller starring Washington is in the works.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - Filming is set to take place in New Jersey.
Coming Soon - The thriller is being made at United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - The film is dated for Oct. 1, 2027, and filming is set to begin in November.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - The detective is granted compassionate release after receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis and being given six months to live.
HOW:
Coming Soon - The project is an untitled thriller, with McQuarrie directing and Washington starring.
Screen Rant - The project is described as a crime thriller helmed by a director of multiple *Mission: Impossible* films.
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 17:23 UTC)
Denzel Washington is set to star in a new crime thriller directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the filmmaker behind multiple *Mission: Impossible* movies. Amazon has greenlit the film for a theatrical release, with United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios involved. Previously known as *The Frame*, the movie follows a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given six months to live. Granted compassionate release, he returns home to an estranged daughter and a grandson he has never met, while his dark past continues to haunt him. Scott Barkan and Gregg Zehentner wrote the screenplay. Filming is set to begin in November in New Jersey, and the film is scheduled for release on Oct. 1, 2027. The project puts Washington’s plans for a Hannibal film on hold and is planned before *Black Panther 3*.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 12:02 UTC)
Denzel Washington is set to star in a gritty, untitled crime thriller directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed multiple *Mission: Impossible* films. The project is being made with United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios. Taking on the thriller puts Washington’s plans for a Hannibal project on hold, and the film is planned before *Black Panther 3*.