Fantastic Four’s filmmaker has just locked in his next major project, and it’s nothing like the MCU. He will helm a Nicole Kidman legal thriller for A24 that pairs two of Hollywood’s biggest names.
What to know about Nicole Kidman’s upcoming A24 thriller Discretion
Matt Shakman will direct the first four episodes of Paramount+’s legal thriller Discretion, Deadline reports. The A24 series stars Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning in lead roles. Shakman will also serve as an executive producer on the project.
Paramount+ secured Discretion in October 2025 with a straight-to-series order following a competitive bidding war. The drama is based on a short story by Chandler Baker, who also writes and executive produces. Production is set to begin later this year.
Fanning plays Lenny, a summer associate at a prestigious Dallas law firm. The character “uncovers a web of NDAs masking a dark truth.” After realizing she signed the same agreement, her discoveries place her against the firm’s most powerful female partner, Sharon, played by Kidman.
The series explores their shifting mentor-protege dynamic. The logline poses the central question: “Who gets to keep secrets, and at what cost?” The show also marks a reunion for Shakman and Fanning after collaborating on Hulu’s The Great.
Shakman directed The Great’s pilot episode, earning him an Emmy nomination for directing. He recently wrapped the pilot and finale of Apple TV’s Wild Things, starring Jude Law and Andrew Garfield. His credits also include directing Fantastic Four: First Steps and the Emmy-nominated WandaVision for Marvel and Disney+.
Additional executive producers include Susannah Grant, Kidman, and Per Saari via Blossom Films, and Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, and Brittany Kahan Ward via Lewellen Pictures. Joe Hipps via A24-based Cut To and Jordan Cerf via Linden Entertainment also executive produce.
Shakman is next set to direct a new Planet of the Apes film at 20th Century Studios.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.net.
