Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the studio famous for legendary franchises such as James Bond and Rocky, was acquired by Amazon in a transaction valued at $8.5 billion. Since that merger, the company has made its first major move by securing worldwide distribution rights for Luca Guadagnino’s latest feature, Bones and All.
Timothée Chalamet will once again team up with director Luca Guadagnino after his acclaimed, Oscar-nominated performance in Call Me By Your Name, taking on the role of Lee, a drifting outsider. He stars opposite Taylor Russell, known for standout work in films like Waves and Escape Room, who plays Maren. The supporting cast includes accomplished performers Mark Rylance, André Holland, Jessica Harper, Michael Stuhlbarg—who also appeared in Call Me By Your Name—director David Gordon Green, Francesca Scorsese, and Chloë Sevigny.
Written by Guadagnino’s longtime collaborator David Kajganich, who previously adapted Suspiria, Bones and All follows the tentative first love between Maren and Lee as they travel across Reagan-era America. The pair are on a road trip with a haunting personal mission: Maren is searching for her father and seeking answers to a disturbing hunger that leads her to kill and consume those she loves. The screenplay blends the intimate tones of classic American road movies with darker, transgressive elements reminiscent of contemporary body-horror fare, creating a tonal mix that is both tender and unsettling.
Set against the social and cultural backdrop of the 1980s, Guadagnino’s film uses the road-movie framework to explore isolation, identity, and the complexities of intimacy. The protagonists’ journey is as much internal as it is geographic, and the story emphasizes character-driven emotional beats while also confronting taboo subject matter. The film’s thematic interests—love, longing, and the struggle to control destructive impulses—are amplified by period details and a visual sensibility shaped by Guadagnino’s previous work.
MGM Film Group Chairman Michael De Luca and President Pam Abdy expressed strong support for the collaboration. They praised Guadagnino’s devotion to cinema and the breadth of his two-decade career, noting his versatility across genres while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice. Their statement highlighted enthusiasm for the ensemble cast and affirmed MGM’s commitment to bringing the film to audiences in theaters, emphasizing the value of communal viewing for bold, discussion-provoking films.
“Since his earliest days, Luca has been obsessed with movies, which makes him a kindred spirit to us both. We have long admired his devotion to the kind of cinema that is both admired and passionately discussed by moviegoing audiences. He is the rare filmmaker whose two-decades long career has spanned countless genres and subjects, and throughout he has remained true to his unique vision. We are equally thrilled to be working with Timothée, Taylor, Mark and this outstanding ensemble cast whose work in Bones and All will be a must see on the big screen.”
Guadagnino also commented on the partnership, welcoming MGM’s backing and praising the studio’s willingness to support a confident directorial vision. He expressed pride in associating his film with an iconic studio brand and confidence that MGM’s leadership will help the movie reach a broad theatrical audience.
“I am delighted that MGM, a studio that so clearly loves filmmakers and respects bold vision, is going to bring my movie into the world and that the amazing work of Timothée, Taylor, Mark and the rest of the cast will be seen in theaters. Bones and All could not be in better hands with Kevin Ulrich, Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy at the helm. I am truly proud to be associated with the iconic lion that has roared at the start of so many of my favorite films over the decades.”
Production on Bones and All has already wrapped principal photography in Ohio. While no official release date has been announced, industry reports indicate the film will not premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and is therefore expected to debut later in the year. With a high-profile director, a strong lead pairing, and a provocative premise, Bones and All is likely to become a talked-about theatrical release, attracting attention for its performances, visual style, and uncompromising storytelling.