Pulitzer-winning David Mamet hadn’t directed a film since 2008’s underrated “Redbelt.” His indelibly stylish dialogue can be seen and heard in many great films.
Last year, Mamet released “Henry Johnson,” practically a homemade movie starring Shia LaBeouf, shot in just five days. The film was made available on a specialty rental site. Reviews weren’t bad. More importantly, Mamet had finally directed a film after nearly 17 years of dormancy.
Now comes wonderful news: Deadline is reporting that Mamet is set to direct a feature version of his amazing Tony-winning play, “Speed-The-Plow.” The film will star Anthony Mackie, Ben Mendelsohn, Sharon Stone, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Emily Alyn Lind.
Unlike some of Mamet’s projects over the last 15 years, this one is actually happening, with production set to begin on February 18, 2026, in Atlanta.
If you’re a Mamet-head like myself, you already know how hard it’s been for him to make a movie version of his Hollywood satire. It’s been decades in the making, and now it will finally happen.
The upcoming film, which will take some creative liberties from the original play, is set in the fictional American Prestige Studios. Here, junior executive Bob Grant (Mackie) is unexpectedly promoted to head of production. Emotionally and philosophically out of his depth when it comes to managing low-quality films, Grant navigates the chaos with the help—or hindrance—of veteran studio operator Charlie Fox (Mendelsohn), temporary office worker Karen (Lind), and the unpredictable movie star Gemma Speed (Sharon Stone).
Mamet, a giant of the stage, is known for his wittily acidic dialogue. In fact, a term was invented for his style of writing: “Mamet-speak”—cynical, edgy, streetwise, and precisely crafted for effect. His best film work, as director and/or writer, includes “The Verdict,” “The Untouchables,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Wag the Dog,” “House of Games,” “Ronin,” “The Spanish Prisoner,” “Homicide,” and “The Edge.”