The Splendid Thing: A Novelist’s Whimsical Journey into His Own Creation

Production Details

Title: The Splendid Thing

Format: Feature Film

Production Begins: Late-August 2026

Filming Location: Italy

Producer: Natalie Marciano, Orian Williams, Ashok Amritraj, Priya Amritraj, James Steele

Writer: Stephen Wallis

Writer/Director: Matthew Modine

Cast: Liam Neeson, John Cleese

Synopsis

The Splendid Thing will see Modine play Declan King, a celebrated novelist who has lost his focus and has been struggling to complete his latest novel since his wife left him. He’s sent by his exasperated literary agent on a book-signing tour to Europe, where it’s hoped he may find inspiration to write, but things soon take a surreal turn as characters from his previous books start coming to life all around him. Among them are Neeson as a Great Gatsby-esque type who puts Declan in the hospital after a punch-up and Cleese as a priest who also doubles as the Grim Reaper. But the surreal happenings are just the beginning as Declan comes to discover that literally nothing is what it seems.

Company Info

Company name: Poster Child Pictures
Postal Address:
15456 Ventura Blvd, Suite 302
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Email: asst@posterchildpictures.com
Phone: 818-783-6060
priya@hydeparkentertainment.com

About The Splendid Thing

The Splendid Thing follows Declan King, a once-celebrated novelist grappling with writer’s block after a personal crisis. His literary agent believes a book-signing tour in Europe may provide the spark he needs to revive his creativity. As Declan navigates this tour, he encounters an unexpected twist when characters from his former works manifest in reality. This leads to a series of bizarre events that challenge his perceptions and ultimately force him to confront his past and the underlying truths of his own life.