Glen Powell continues his streak of interesting casting choices, this time bringing stand-up comedian Stavros Halkias into his upcoming country music comedy for Paramount Pictures.
Halkias, best known for his podcast Stavvy's World and his recent comedy special Let's Start a Cult, will play a supporting role in the still-untitled film. Details are scarce, but sources say the project follows two estranged brothers who reunite to save their family's struggling country music venue in Nashville.
Powell has been on an absolute tear lately. Top Gun: Maverick made him a movie star. Anyone But You proved he could carry a rom-com. Hit Man showed his range. And now he's producing and starring in original projects with actual creative ambition. In an era of algorithmic franchise filmmaking, Powell is somehow building a career the old-fashioned way: by being charming and picking interesting projects.
Bringing Halkias into the mix is a smart move. The comedian has a massive following among younger audiences, particularly men 18-34 - exactly the demographic that doesn't typically turn up for country music comedies. He's also genuinely funny, with a self-deprecating style that should translate well to screen.
This isn't Halkias' first film role - he appeared in Let's Start a Cult, which he also co-wrote - but it's by far his highest-profile gig. If he can hold his own opposite Powell, expect to see him in a lot more Hollywood projects.
The film is being directed by Malcolm D. Lee, who previously helmed Girls Trip and The Best Man franchise. That's an interesting choice - Lee specializes in ensemble comedies with heart, which suggests this won't be a cheap laugh-fest but something with actual emotional stakes.
Paramount is clearly betting on Powell's golden touch continuing. The studio has been struggling to find consistent hits outside of its legacy franchises like Mission: Impossible and Transformers. A mid-budget comedy with a proven star and a built-in audience hook (country music, family drama) is exactly the kind of project that could overperform if it connects.
Shooting begins this summer in Nashville, with a tentative release date sometime in 2027. No word yet on whether Powell will be doing his own singing, but given his commitment to authenticity in previous roles, don't bet against it.
