EXCLUSIVE: Waltzing with Brando, the feature starring Billy Zane as Marlon Brando, is set for North American release via Iconic Releasing.
The film is scheduled for release in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, September 19, 2025. VMI Worldwide is handling international sales at the Cannes market.
Directed and written by Bill Fishman (Tapeheads), Waltzing with Brando is based on the published memoir by Los Angeles architect Bernard Judge, who was hired by Brando in the late 1960s to design an ecologically self-sustaining retreat on a remote and uninhabitable atoll in Tahiti. What begins as an architectural experiment becomes an eccentric and emotional journey into isolation, celebrity, and the limits of utopian idealism.
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You can check out the trailer below, in which Zane bears a striking resemblance to screen icon Brando.
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Zane (Titanic) leads a cast that includes Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) as Judge, alongside Camille Razat (Emily In Paris), Alaina Huffman (The 100), Rob Corddry (Ballers), Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World), and Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws).
“Brando’s quest to build an eco-friendly retreat was decades ahead of its time, and telling that story through the eyes of Bernard Judge gave us something both intimate and unexpected. It’s been a labor of love to bring this lesser-known chapter of his life to the screen. We’re proud of what the team has created, and excited to be partnering with Iconic and VMI to finally share it with audiences,” said Dean Bloxom, executive producer.
“There’s an undeniable fascination with Brando around the world, but what makes this film special is the way it shows him through such an unexpected, personal lens. That combination of myth, humanity, and humor is what makes it so compelling—and why we think it will resonate with audiences everywhere,” added Dan Fisher, EVP of Sales at VMI Worldwide.
“We’re committed to championing unique, artist-driven films that leave a lasting impression. Waltzing with Brando is one of those rare projects—Academy-recognized, rich with Hollywood lore, and anchored by a magnetic performance from Billy Zane. We’re excited for audiences to finally experience it in theaters,” commented Mark Rupp, CFO/COO and co-founder of Iconic Releasing.
Waltzing with Brando is executive-produced by Dean Bloxom’s Deano Productions, Bill Fishman’s Fallout Entertainment, Billy Zane’s Billy Zane Productions, Doug Dearth, and Brett Kerr.