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Lily James is diving into deep waters — literally — as she joins Chris Hemsworth in Subversion, the upcoming submarine action-thriller from Amazon MGM Studios.
Directed by 7500 helmer Patrick Vollrath and written by Andrew Ferguson, Subversion centers on a disgraced naval commander (Hemsworth) who’s blackmailed by a cartel-like organization into steering a dangerous submarine mission across international waters. The twist? His illegal cargo and covert mission put him directly in the crosshairs of a relentless Coast Guard officer, played by James, setting up a nerve-racking cat-and-mouse pursuit beneath the ocean’s surface.
As the submarine barrels through hostile waters, dodging detection and external threats, tensions rise from within. The narrative promises both claustrophobic intensity and large-scale action — a lethal combination for audiences hungry for high-concept thrillers.
Veteran producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is backing the film, with Stephen Shafer and Greg Cohen serving as executive producers for di Bonaventura Pictures. Known for shaping iconic action franchises, di Bonaventura’s involvement signals Subversion is aiming for blockbuster status.
James, who earned critical acclaim and multiple award nominations for her transformation into Pamela Anderson in Hulu’s Pam & Tommy, brings both star power and emotional depth to the project. Her portrayal in the limited series earned her Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice nods. She’s also stepping into producing, with her company Parodos Pictures behind Swiped, the upcoming 20th/Hulu feature inspired by Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble. That film is set to premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Beyond Subversion, James is keeping busy. She stars opposite Riz Ahmed in David Mackenzie’s thriller Relay, which bowed at Tribeca and will be released in U.S. theaters by Bleecker Street on August 22. She’s also filming Harmonia, a psychological drama from Oscar winner Guy Nattiv, and is attached to Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo with cult director Takashi Miike. Additionally, she’s part of the much-anticipated Cliffhanger reboot, another title she’s producing.
With Hemsworth and James leading the charge, Subversion is shaping up to be a tightly wound thriller with strong performances and high production values. It’s one of several ambitious projects from Amazon MGM aiming to make waves in the action genre.
James is repped by UTA, Tavistock Wood, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern.
