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The Brink of War is an upcoming American historical political drama film written and directed by Michael Russell Gunn in his feature directorial debut. Set during the Reykjavík Summit of 1986, it stars Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, and J. K. Simmons. The ensemble cast also includes Hope Davis, Branka Katić, Aya Cash, Guy Burnet, John Ross Bowie, Adrian Rawlins, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson.

The film is set to be released on August 14, 2026.

Cast

Production

Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev outside of Höfði on October 11, 1986
Ronald Reagan in a staff briefing with Kenneth Adelman, George Shultz, Donald Regan, Paul Nitze, Max Kampelman, Richard Perle, and John Poindexter on October 12, 1986

Development

Writer-director Michael Russell Gunn spent several years conducting research for the film. He interviewed former Secretary of State George Shultz before his 2021 death, and was also given transcripts from the 1986 summit.[1]

Casting

Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, and J. K. Simmons joined the cast on August 5, 2024.[1][2] Hope Davis, Branka Katić, and Aya Cash joined the cast on October 15, 2024.[3][4] Guy Burnet, John Ross Bowie, Adrian Rawlins, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson were announced as cast members on October 29, 2024.[5] In addition to ten main actors, the film employed over 100 supporting actors.[6]

Filming

Gunn was able to utilize Iceland’s production rebate program to film on location.[7][8] Filming began on October 15, 2024, in Reykjavík.[3] The majority of filming took place at Höfði, the actual site of the 1986 summit, which cost ISK 6.3 million to rent from the city of Reykjavík.[9][10][11] Sæbraut, a local road in the city, was closed for filming purposes on October 19 and 26, 2024.[12][13] Additional filming locations included the Blue Lagoon, Skeggjastaðir [is], Mosfellsdalur [is], and Reykjanes.[12] Filming was expected to be completed by mid-November 2024.[14] Magdalena Górka served as the film’s cinematographer.[7]

Pete Souza, who photographed the 1986 summit, also conducted the on-set photography for the film.[7]

Release

A trailer was released on April 13, 2026.[15] The Brink of War is set to be released by Angel Studios on August 14, 2026.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (August 5, 2024). “Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris & J.K. Simmons To Topline Cold War Drama ‘Reykjavik’; Michael Russell Gunn Directing For SK Global”. Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Klawans, Justin (August 5, 2024). “Jeff Daniels To Play One of America’s Most Controversial Presidents in New Cold War Movie”. Collider. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lang, Brent (October 15, 2024). “Hope Davis Playing Nancy Reagan in Political Drama ‘Reykjavik’ as Branka Katic and Aya Cash Join Cast (EXCLUSIVE)”. Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Blevins, Adam (October 15, 2024). “‘The Boys’ and ‘Succession’ Stars Join Jared Harris and J.K. Simmons’ Political Thriller”. Collider. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 29, 2024). “SK Global’s Cold War Drama ‘Reykjavik’ Adds Four To Cast”. Deadline. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Ásgeirsdóttir, Ásdís (October 5, 2024). “Að feika rússneskan hreim”. Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Miller, Stuart (November 5, 2024). “How Jeff Daniels-Jared Harris Drama ‘Reykjavik’ Used Authentic Locations to Tell the Story of a Cold War Summit in Iceland”. Variety. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Kjartansson, Aðalsteinn (October 29, 2024). “Eiga von á myndarlegri endurgreiðslu”. Heimildin (in Icelandic). Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Gunnarsson, Oddur Ævar (October 23, 2024). “Hollywood stjörnur við Höfða”. Vísir (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Kjartansson, Aðalsteinn (October 29, 2024). “Eiga von á myndarlegri endurgreiðslu”. Heimildin (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Gunnarsson, Freyr Gígja (October 14, 2024). “Tökur hafnar á Hollywoodmynd í Höfða – greiða 6,3 milljónir í leigu”. RÚV (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Arnardóttir, Lovísa (October 17, 2024). “Loka Sæbraut á laugardag vegna kvikmyndatöku”. Vísir (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Ómarsdóttir, Alma (October 24, 2024). “Sæbraut lokuð að hluta vegna kvikmyndatöku”. RÚV (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Magnússon, Höskuld Daði (September 22, 2024). “Þekktir leikarar og lúxuskerrur”. Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Couch, Aaron (April 13, 2026). “Jeff Daniels Transforms Into Ronald Reagan in ‘Brink of War’ Trailer as Angel Studios Hits CinemaCon”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  16. ^ Kay, Jeremy (April 13, 2026). “Angel Studios unveils five 2026 theatrical releases at CinemaCon”. Screen Daily. Retrieved April 13, 2026.