Paul Dano Boards A24’s Next Big Bet Alongside The Long Walk Stars

Paul Dano is hopping into a new A24 road movie called The Chaperones, and the pieces around it are interesting enough that I perked up. It is got legit talent on both sides of the camera, a quietly funny premise, and one of those producer connections that will make superhero fans raise an eyebrow.

The gist

The Chaperones follows "three slacker friends who are hired to transport a troubled teen across the country."

It is set right after Christmas, which is a nice, oddly specific vibe for a cross-country trek.

Who is involved

• Lead: Paul Dano (yep, the Riddler from The Batman and a standout in The Fabelmans)
• Co-stars: David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman. The source tags them as The Long Walk stars, which is a curious label since details on that project are murky, but either way, good gets.
• Director: India Donaldson, whose last film was Good One
• Writer: Sebastian Black
• Producers: Icki Eneo Arlo and Plan B
• Executive producer: Adam Wyatt Tate
• Production companies with recognizable names behind them: Icki Eneo Arlo is Robert Pattinson’s banner, and Plan B was co-founded by Brad Pitt

The fun connection

This is a quiet reunion of sorts between Dano and Pattinson. They went head-to-head in Matt Reeves' The Batman (Dano as the Riddler, Pattinson under the cowl). This time, Pattinson is not in front of the camera; he is on the producing side via Icki Eneo Arlo, backing a film Dano stars in. Different lanes, same highway.

Timing and where it is landing

Filming is expected to start in fall 2025, with Ohio and New Mexico on the itinerary. No release window yet, which makes sense given how far out the shoot is.

What we still do not know

Character details are locked up for now. Beyond that post-holiday setup and the transport-job premise, the plot is being kept light on specifics. But with Donaldson directing and A24 shepherding it, it is one to keep on the radar.