EXCLUSIVE: Chris O’Donnell has launched Lone Cypress Entertainment, a new production company backed with capital for development and production. The company’s first project is the film Kilkenny, starring P.J. Byrne (The Rainmaker, The Five-Star Weekend) and directed by Jay Duplass (Somebody Somewhere, The Baltimorons)
O’Donnell revealed that Lone Cypress is an engine for the company to “assemble great teams and share in our success” from digital series to TV and films. Through the production company, he touts that they will be able to “invest in ideas and help writers package their projects from the earliest stages, whether that’s a pitch, short story, article, book, or spec.”
Jay Lavender, O’Donnell’s producing partner, will develop and produce projects across genres and formats. O’Donnell, who currently stars in and executive produces Ryan Murphy’s hit ABC series, 9-1-1: Nashville, says his own experiences early in his career helped inspire the company.
“When we wrapped NCIS: Los Angeles after 14 seasons, it coincided with our business being in the midst of great disruption,” O’Donnell shared. “As I thought about the next chapter of my career, I kept coming back to the desire to work on unique projects with talented people.”
He added, “When I was starting out, I was fortunate to work with incredible actors and directors who took me under their wings and taught me the ins and outs of the business from performing to promoting. Part of my inspiration for creating Lone Cypress is to give back to the next generation of talent. At the same time, there are so many talented actors and filmmakers I came up with and who blazed the trail before me that I would love to collaborate with.”
Lone Cypress’ first project will be the film Kilkenny, which will be set in Ireland. Plot details are under wraps. Byrne and Duplass are writing the script from a story by Byrne and Andrew Muscato. O’Donnell will produce alongside Lavender, Muscato, Byrne, and Duplass.
“Kilkenny is a perfect example of a talent-driven Lone Cypress project,” said O’Donnell. “I’ve been friends with P.J. for almost thirty years and have been thrilled to watch his career take off. I called P.J. when we started the company and told him I wanted to produce something together. P.J. hit it off with Jay and Andrew on the upcoming I Play Rocky and wanted to work with them again. He brought us their treatment about two unforgettable characters, and I was in immediately.”
O’Donnell is repped by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment.