John C. Reilly Joins David Leitch’s ‘How to Rob A Bank’ — Sets Movie Return After Seven Year Absence

It’s great to have this guy back on the big screen.

Oscar nominee John C. Reilly is set to join the cast of “How to Rob a Bank,” an upcoming action thriller from director David Leitch that’s gaining momentum at Amazon MGM Studios as it approaches production this month (via (TheInSneider).

The film features Nicholas Hoult in the lead, supported by a young cast including Zoë Kravitz, Pete Davidson, Anna Sawai, and Rhenzy Feliz. The screenplay comes from “Hunters” writer Mark Bianculli.

Sources tell THR that the story centers around a group of bank robbers who use social media to document their heists, playing a cat and mouse game with police. Amazon MGM plans a wide theatrical release for the film over Labor Day weekend, with a premiere date set for September 4, 2026.

A uniquely versatile performer, Reilly is capable of headlining absurd comedies (“Walk Hard”) as easily as delivering deeply affecting performances in dramas (“Boogie Nights”). He’s one of the great character actors of the 21st century.

Reilly is one of those rare, chameleonic actors whose range is so vast it almost defies categorization. He’s the connective tissue between prestige cinema and lowbrow comedy. There’s an old-school soul to Reilly’s work, a kind of working-class authenticity that grounds even his most outlandish characters filled with depth and humanity. He could have easily meshed in ‘70s American cinema.

Back in 2018, Reilly had a wild run with four high-profile releases—“Stan & Ollie,” “Holmes & Watson,” “The Sisters Brothers,” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” Since then, his film appearances have been none existent. With the exception of brief cameos in “Licorice Pizza” and “Stars at Noon,” Reilly’s only other acting work these last seven years has been his turn as Dr. Jerry Buss in HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.”

Reilly’s return to the big screen should be celebrated, and he’s working hard to make it count; he just premiered a western at Cannes, titled “Heads or Tails,” which is still seeking distribution, and has two other indies in post-production. Next year, he might have four movies coming out.