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- Top-billed cast and creative team behind Nasty
- What Nasty is about — a compact, intense premise
- Script origins and critical pedigree
- Production timeline and release details
- Why this reunion matters for Rose Byrne and Mary Bronstein
- Where Jenna Ortega fits in — acting and producing
- Clockwork’s strategy at Warner Bros. and recent moves
- Key industry players and representation
- Marketing signal and social media reveal
Rose Byrne and Jenna Ortega are set to headline Nasty, a tense drama that Warner Bros. Clockwork quietly unveiled with a teaser this July. The pairing reunites Byrne with director Mary Bronstein and brings a Black List script to a major studio banner. The announcement promises a sleek, character-driven story and a theatrical release in 2027.
Top-billed cast and creative team behind Nasty
The film brings together an acclaimed actress, a rising star, and a director with a growing profile.
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- Rose Byrne — returning to collaborate with director Mary Bronstein.
- Jenna Ortega — starring and joining the film as a producer.
- Mary Bronstein — director, known for her sharply observed earlier work.
- Isabella Jarosz — writer of the screenplay, which landed on the 2024 Black List.
- LuckyChap (Margot Robbie’s banner) — producing alongside Ortega.
- Warner Bros. Pictures’ Clockwork — distributing under its specialty label.
What Nasty is about — a compact, intense premise
The story centers on a young gymnast chasing Olympic dreams. Her toughest obstacle is not a rival athlete.
Her coach becomes the principal threat, forcing a battle of trust, power, and ambition. Expect close, psychological drama rooted in sport.
Script origins and critical pedigree
The screenplay by Isabella Jarosz drew industry attention after appearing on the 2024 Black List. That list spotlights the most admired unproduced screenplays of the year.
Being a Black List title helped the project attract talent and producers. The script’s reputation argues for sharp dialogue and strong character arcs.
Production timeline and release details
Studio materials indicate production is slated to begin this fall. Filming is expected to move quickly.
- Announcement date: Clockwork and the team revealed the project publicly on July 16, 2026.
- Early marketing: a poster-style teaser image accompanied the news.
- Planned release: the film is currently listed as opening in theaters in 2027.
Why this reunion matters for Rose Byrne and Mary Bronstein
Byrne and Bronstein previously teamed on a film that earned wide critical notice. Byrne’s lead performance there was called one of her best.
Byrne received an Academy Award nomination for that role. Her return to Bronstein’s direction suggests another layered, performance-first film.
Bronstein also has ongoing projects in television, expanding her profile across platforms.
Where Jenna Ortega fits in — acting and producing
Ortega continues to broaden her film slate while keeping ties to TV hits.
- She’s attached to high-profile features including a Taika Waititi project.
- Another major film with J.J. Abrams at Warner Bros. was delayed to fall 2027.
- On Nasty, Ortega is both a lead actor and a producer, signaling creative investment.
Clockwork’s strategy at Warner Bros. and recent moves
Clockwork is Warner Bros.’ boutique label run by executives who left Neon. The banner focuses on bold, auteur-driven projects.
- Recent announcements: Sean Baker’s Ti Amo! is among the label’s first new releases.
- Clockwork also acquired Park Chan-wook’s Brigands of Rattlecreek, starring Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler.
- The label plans a fall re-release of Ken Russell’s controversial classic The Devils.
- Clockwork recently forged a first-look deal with Chris Ferguson’s Oddfellows, known for Backrooms, Longlegs, and The Monkey.
Key industry players and representation
The project’s talent are represented by prominent agencies and firms. These relationships often help fast-track development and financing.
- Mary Bronstein: CAA, attorney David Krintzman, and 42West.
- Isabella Jarosz: CAA, Untitled, and Ziffren.
- Jenna Ortega: CAA, Viewpoint, and Jeff Hynick at Jackoway Austen.
- Rose Byrne: CAA, RGM Artists, and Narrative.
- LuckyChap: CAA, Entertainment 360, Narrative, and attorney Jeff Bernstein.
Marketing signal and social media reveal
Clockwork teased the film on social channels with a brief art-forward post. The caption paired a provocative line with cast and crew credits.
The tweet confirmed the principal cast, director, and a 2027 theatrical window. The post credited Mary Bronstein for the artwork.
