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\n\tBlack Bear and Artists Equity have partnered on the dramatic feature\u00a0A<\/em>\u00a0Woman in the Sun<\/em>, starring Ren\u00e9e Zellweger and Sissy Spacek alongside rising star Mia Threapleton. <\/p>\n \n\tA<\/em>\u00a0Woman in the Sun<\/em>\u00a0follows a month in the life of Claire Keating, a bartender on Nantucket and part of the island\u2019s dwindling middle class. When her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home, Claire\u2019s world cracks open. Both fragile and tough, Claire must reckon with her past and take ownership of her future. This multi-generational story explores the beauty, agony, and hilarity of loving other people deeply.<\/p>\n \n\tThe film is written and directed by WGA Award nominee Julia Cox, the breakout writer of Black Bear\u2019s two-time Academy Award nominee\u00a0Nyad<\/em>. Black Bear and Artists Equity are co-financing, with Black Bear to distribute the film in North America and the UK, as well as in Canada via Elevation Pictures. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs soon as I met Julia, I knew she was destined to be an incredible director, and working with her closely on\u00a0Nyad<\/em> only strengthened my belief in her as an artist and leader,\u201d said Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman. \u201cWith\u00a0A Woman in the Sun<\/em>, she has created that perfect vehicle to transition from acclaimed writer to world-caliber director. The story is both singular and universal, and Julia will no doubt capture unforgettably rich performances from\u00a0Ren\u00e9e, Sissy, and Mia. Black Bear is honored to back this powerful film alongside our good friends at Artists Equity, and we can\u2019t wait to share it with audiences soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tProducing the film are Zellweger and\u00a0Carmella Casinelli for Big Picture Co., and\u00a0Kim Roth,\u00a0with Greg Gertmenian co-producing. Production is slated to begin in September 2026. Black Bear will introduce the project to international buyers at Cannes.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cChampioning promising filmmakers like Julia has been central to Big Picture Co\u2019s mission since day one, and we\u2019re thrilled to be part of this very special project and the team who will help realize Julia\u2019s vision.\u00a0The script is a storytelling treasure, and Julia\u2019s instincts set her apart as an emerging filmmaker. We can\u2019t wait to get started,\u201d said Zellweger.<\/p>\n \n\tCox both wrote and executive produced\u00a0Nyad<\/em>, the Black Bear film starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, who both earned Oscar nominations for their performances. Cox also wrote\u00a0and\u00a0executive produced\u00a0the upcoming film\u00a0Love of Your Life<\/em>, directed by Oscar nominee Rachel Morrison and starring Margaret Qualley, Gabriel Basso, Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Catherine Keener.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tRELATED: Margaret Qualley To Star In \u2018Love Of Your Life\u2019 At Amazon MGM Studios From Director Rachel Morrison<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\t\u201cJulia has proven herself as a writer, and I\u2019m certain\u00a0A Woman in the Sun<\/em>\u00a0will show the film world she\u2019s equally gifted in the director\u2019s chair,\u201d said Ben Affleck, CEO of Artists Equity. \u201cThis is a moving, gripping exploration of a complex family dynamic with something lurking beneath the surface. And behind the scenes, we\u2019ve got a tremendous partner in Black Bear. For us, this is about finding meaningful ways to invest in filmmakers at every stage of their journey, and projects like this are exactly the kind of work we want to be a part of. We\u2019re looking forward to bringing this film to life.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tZellweger has won two Academy Awards for her roles in\u00a0Judy<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Cold Mountain<\/em>, on top of nominations for the beloved\u00a0Bridget Jones\u2019s Diary<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Chicago<\/em>. Other titles in her diverse body of work include\u00a0Jerry Maguire<\/em>,\u00a0Nurse Betty<\/em>,\u00a0Me, Myself & Irene<\/em>, and\u00a0Cinderella Man<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tSpacek has been nominated for six Academy Awards, all for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She won the prize for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in the 1980 hit\u00a0Coal Minor\u2019s Daughter<\/em>. Her other nominations were for\u00a0In the Bedroom<\/em>,\u00a0Crimes of the Heart<\/em>,\u00a0The River<\/em>,\u00a0Missing<\/em>, and her breakout titular role in the Stephen King adaptation\u00a0Carrie<\/em>. Spacek has also been nominated for three Emmys, for\u00a0Big Love<\/em>,\u00a0Last Call<\/em>, and\u00a0The Good Old Boys<\/em>. Recently, Spacek starred in Lynne Ramsey\u2019s Cannes favorite\u00a0Die My Love<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThreapleton is currently shooting an untitled feature film written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and is also known for her roles in Wes Anderson\u2019s The Phoenician Scheme<\/em>, Karim A\u00efnouz\u2019s Firebrand<\/em>, and Alan Rickman\u2019s A Little Chaos<\/em>. On the small screen, she\u00a0most recently starred in the BAFTA-winning drama\u00a0 I AM RUTH<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0has appeared in Apple TV\u2019s The Buccaneers<\/em>\u00a0and Starz\u2019s Dangerous Liaisons<\/em>.<\/p>\n \n\tRELATED: Sean Astin Takes First Starring Role Since SAG-AFTRA Election Win In Scrooge-Inspired \u2018Scruggs\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tCox is represented by CAA, Project D Media, Aloft Strateic Communications, and Ziffren Brittenham. Zellwegger is represented by CAA and Imprint PR. Spacek is represented by UTA and MGMT Entertainment. Threapleton is repped by CAA and Markham, Froggatt and Irwin.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n