In an exciting development, Willa Fitzgerald is set to star alongside Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey in the upcoming Cold War thriller, Billion Dollar Spy, produced by Walden Media. This film is a riveting adaptation based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning work by David E. Hoffman.

Role Details

Fitzgerald will portray Mae Lenihan, the wife of CIA agent Tom Lenihan, played by Lawtey. The character dynamics are expected to provide an emotionally compelling anchor to the intense narrative focused on espionage and patriotism.

Plot Overview

Billion Dollar Spy tells the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, a seemingly ordinary man who became the Pentagon’s most crucial spy during the Cold War. Set against the politically charged backdrop of the late Cold War, the film explores Tolkachev’s courage as he risked his life to share thousands of pages of highly confidential Soviet intelligence with the United States. Despite facing skepticism from the CIA, Tolkachev’s determination to stand against authoritarianism made him a pivotal figure in shifting the balance of power.

Creative Team

The film is directed by BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante, known for her work on acclaimed films such as Belle and A United Kingdom. The screenplay has been crafted by Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan, whose previous works include Traffic and Syriana. Gaghan’s contribution comes after revisions on an initial draft by Ben August.

Production Insights

The film is a collaboration between Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures, with producers Frank Smith, Benjamin Tappan, Cher Hawrysh, and others involved in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. Jane Hooks is serving as an executive producer, while Pioneer Stillking Films has also joined as a co-producer.

Currently, Billion Dollar Spy is in pre-production, with Hanway Films managing international sales and CAA Media Finance overseeing domestic rights.

Willa Fitzgerald’s Recent Work

Fitzgerald has recently earned acclaim for her performance in Miramax’s Strange Darling and received a Critics Choice nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her role in Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher. In addition, she is poised to lead the cast in the upcoming Netflix series Pulse, scheduled to premiere on April 3rd.

Furthermore, Fitzgerald is part of the cast for Paramount Pictures’ adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel Regretting You, joining notable actors such as Allison Williams and Dave Franco.