A high-profile collaboration between two British stars and a renowned action director, showcasing versatile talent beyond their previous genres.
Insiders suggest this casting is a strategic move to prove Lucien Laviscount's range beyond romantic comedy, while Daisy Ridley continues to distance herself from the Star Wars franchise.
The film is directed by Pierre Morel ('Taken') and based on an original screenplay by the writer of 'Rambo: Last Blood'. The announcement was made exclusively by Variety on September 14, 2026.
This is a career-defining pivot for Laviscount, trading Parisian romance for gritty action under a director known for visceral thrillers.
Lucien Laviscount is trading the champagne glasses of Paris for gunpowder and grit. The actor, best known for his breakout role in Netflix’s "Emily in Paris" and his recent turn in the romantic comedy "People We Meet on Vacation," has officially joined the cast of the upcoming action-thriller "The Good Samaritan." This isn’t just another credit; it’s a calculated shift in trajectory for one of Hollywood’s rising British stars, signaling an intent to shed the heartthrob label and prove his mettle in a high-octane environment.
Laviscount will be starring alongside Daisy Ridley, another British talent who has been carefully curating a post-"Star Wars" career defined by eclectic and often darker roles. Ridley’s presence alongside Laviscount creates a compelling British duo, leveraging their combined international appeal while grounding the project in serious genre filmmaking. The pairing suggests a film that relies on chemistry and star power to drive its narrative, rather than relying solely on CGI spectacle, a refreshing move in the current blockbuster landscape.
Behind the camera, the project boasts significant pedigree. "The Good Samaritan" is helmed by Pierre Morel, the French director responsible for the visceral and relentless "Taken" franchise. Morel’s involvement is a clear indicator of the film’s tone: expect fast-paced, grounded, and physically demanding action sequences rather than stylized, weightless superheroics.
The screenplay is an original work by the writer behind "Rambo: Last Blood," further cementing the project’s commitment to traditional, hard-hitting thriller mechanics. This creative team has a proven track record of delivering commercially viable and critically respected action films. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the announcement comes as the film secures key distribution deals, indicating strong market confidence in the project.
For Laviscount, this represents a pivotal opportunity to expand his portfolio beyond the rom-com sphere that has defined his recent work. For Ridley, it continues her successful strategy of avoiding franchise fatigue by selecting distinct, character-driven roles. With a director like Morel at the helm and a script rooted in the tradition of "Rambo," "The Good Samaritan" is poised to be a serious contender in the action-thriller genre, offering both stars a chance to redefine their public perception.
