| A Statement | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tom McCarthy |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
| Edited by | Jane Rizzo |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Statement is a 2026 American biographical drama film directed by Tom McCarthy, co-written with Thomas Bidegain and Noé Debré, and based on the 2019 non-fiction book Losing Earth by Nathaniel Rich. It centers on a historic convention that took place from October 29-31, 1980 at the Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida, days before the 1980 United States presidential election on November 4, 1980, where a group of scientists and environmentalists gathered to debate the existence of scientific evidence of climate change, with the convention concluding in a statement about their findings.
It stars an ensemble cast including Paul Rudd, Evan Peters, Amy Ryan, Paul Giamatti, John Turturro,Tatiana Maslany, Jason Clarke, Nina Arianda.
The film premiered in the Spotlight Gala section of the 2026 New York Film Festival on October 3,[2][3] and will be released theatrically in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics in late 2026.[4]
Premise
In 1980, during the final months of the Jimmy Carter democratic presidency, a group scientists, activists, and policymakers gathers in Florida for a conference on the effects of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate with a seemingly simple mandate: writing a statement on measures to be taken against this issue.
Cast
- Paul Rudd as Thomas Jorling, assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Evan Peters as Rafe Pomerance, an environmental lobbyist
- Amy Ryan as Annemarie Crocetti, a public health scholar
- Paul Giamatti as David Slade, the director of the Department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide and Climate Research program
- John Turturro as David Rose, a nuclear engineer
- Tatiana Maslany as Edith Brown Weiss, an environmental lawyer
- Jason Clarke as John Perry, a meteorologist
- Nina Arianda as Bernadette, a stenographer working to transcribe the convention
- Michael Chernus as Tom McPherson, politician
- Noah Robbins as Robert Cunningham, a scientist
- Zach Woods as Anthony Scoville, a technical consultant to the Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology
- Alan Aisenberg as Mitch Tyson, clean engergy executive
- Dylan Baker as George M. Woodwell, an ecologist
- Michael Cerveris as Edward Strohbehn, a scientist and environmental lawyer who worked as executive director of the Council on Environmental Quality under President Jimmy Carter
- Mary Catherine Garrison as Jeanne Malchon, a politician
- Bryan Batt as Thomas Waltz, an economist
- Christopher Denham as David Burns, director with The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Zak Orth as Dean Abrahamson, policy professor at Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- Billy Slaughter as John Hoffman, creator of the Energy Star program
- Jim Klock as William Elliott, an atmospheric scientist
- Joey Slotnick as John Laurmann, a Stanford University scientist
- Aaron Jay Rome as William Sommers, a meteorologist and research director for the USDA Forest Service
- Eli Bildner as Henry Shaw, a scientist working for Exxon Research & Engineering (ER&E)
- Raegan Jolie Rozas as Tiffany, the bride
- Adrian Martinez as Ed, father of the bride
Production
Development
In January 2026, it was announced that Sony Pictures Classics would co-finance and distribute Tom McCarthy's next directorial effort – which he also co-adapted with Thomas Bidegain and Noé Debré from the 2019 book Losing Earth, with filming set to commence in late February 2026.[5] That same month, the film's title was reported to be The Statement, with Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, and Peter Sarsgaard rumored to star.[6] In February 2026, the cast was revealed to consist of Rudd, Giamatti, Evan Peters, Tatiana Maslany, John Turturro, Amy Ryan, and Jason Clarke. Production on the film was delayed to March.[7] In April 2026, the rest of the cast was announced.[8]
Filming
Principal photography began in New Orleans, Louisiana, initially for interior scenes for several weeks in March 2026.[9] Filming shifted to St. Petersburg, Florida and St. Pete Beach, Florida for exterior scenes in early April 2026.[9][10]
References
- ^ filmlinc.org NYFF Film Descriptionaccessed 10-4-2026
- ^ Davis, Clayton (August 11, 2026). "New York Film Festival Unveils Spotlight Slate With Tom McCarthy's 'A Statement,' Jonathan Glazer's 'Joy of Joys' and More". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ^ "A Statement". Film at Lincoln Center. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (August 11, 2026). "Tom McCarthy's 'A Statement', Jonathan Glazer Documentary 'Joy Of Joys' To World Premiere At New York Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 16, 2026). "Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Climate Change Conference Movie From Tom McCarthy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ Hopson, Travis (January 20, 2026). "'The Statement': Tom McCarthy's Next Film To Star Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, & Peter Sarsgaard". Punch Drunk Critics. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (February 25, 2026). "Paul Rudd, Evan Peters, Amy Ryan, Paul Giamatti, John Turturro, Tatiana Maslany & Jason Clarke Set For 'Spotlight' Director Tom McCarthy's Next Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (April 14, 2026). "Tom McCarthy's Sony Classics Drama Rounds Out Cast With Zach Woods, Dylan Baker, Nina Arianda, Michael Chernus & More". Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ^ a b 'Spotlight' director is filming a celeb-packed movie in New Orleans about climate change
- ^ Hollywood comes to the Don CeSar: New movie 'The Statement' starring Paul Rudd is filming in St. Pete Beach
External links
- A Statement at IMDb