Oliver Stone has added Michael Douglas, Willem Dafoe, Ellen Barkin and Homer Gere to the cast of White Lies, the filmmaker’s first narrative feature in a decade and a project he has spent years trying to bring to the screen. The new arrivals join Josh Hartnett, who leads the drama as production continues on the film in multiple international locations, including Italy, Thailand and Bulgaria.

Douglas’ involvement is particularly notable after the actor recently suggested he was stepping back from acting, while Dafoe adds another acclaimed veteran performer to the ensemble, alongside Barkin and newcomer Homer Gere. The film has been described as an intimate examination of how relationships evolve over time and how family histories shape future generations.

Written and directed by Stone, White Lies marks a significant departure from the politically charged stories that defined much of the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s career. The project also represents Stone’s return to feature filmmaking following a nearly 10-year absence since 2016’s Snowden; during that period, he remained  active in documentary work while repeatedly attempting to secure financing for White Lies, which underwent several stalled development efforts before finally moving into production. I

White Lies focuses on the drama focusing on family relationships across three generations, exploring themes of love, loss and personal reinvention. Hartnett stars as Jack Freeman, a man shaped by his parents’ divorce who finds himself repeating similar mistakes in his own marriage. Seeking an escape from his troubled life, he embarks on a journey that ultimately forces him to confront deeper questions about himself and the people around him.

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