Angelina Jolie is producing Arena, Salma Hayek's first film as a director — a year after directing Hayek herself
Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie are reuniting for an ambitious independent film — and the title may raise an eyebrow.
Here’s one to keep on your radar: Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie are teaming up yet again, this time for an indie feature called Arena. You might remember the pair from Marvel’s Eternals—now they’re back, but not in spandex. This latest venture brings them together behind the camera as well, and it’s far more of a passion project than a studio blockbuster.
Who's Doing What?
Hayek’s not just starring in Arena—she’s gone the full auteur on this one. She’s penned the script, is sitting in the director’s chair, producing, and also appearing on screen. That’s four hats for those keeping count. This will be Hayek’s official directorial debut for a theatrically released feature, though she did already snag a Daytime Emmy for the telly film The Maldonado Miracle.
Arena marks Salma Hayek's first major feature as both writer and director—her most ambitious project to date.
Jolie, on the other hand, has taken on the executive producer role for this go-round. The Jolie-Hayek partnership isn’t new either; before Arena, Jolie directed Hayek in last year’s war drama Without Blood, so there’s already a working shorthand here.
Cast and Crew – It’s Stacked
The leads for Arena are Yura Borisov—fresh off his Oscar nod for Anora—and Cara Delevingne. The story apparently revolves around forbidden romance, intimacy, and all things 'healing power of desire', so expect less punching, more pining.
Cinematography is in safe hands with Philippe Le Sourd, who’s worked with Wong Kar-wai on The Grandmaster and, more recently, filmed Priscilla. There’s serious pedigree on the visual side.
- Director/Writer: Salma Hayek
- Executive Producer: Angelina Jolie
- Cast: Yura Borisov, Cara Delevingne, Salma Hayek Pinault
- Cinematographer: Philippe Le Sourd
- Producers: Hayek, Jolie, José Tamez, Stacy Perskie
Production Details – Location, Location, Location
Filming is underway now in Mexico, specifically in the Quintana Roo and Veracruz regions. The team is taking the 'hidden landscapes' trend literally—using remote natural locations that haven’t been seen on film before. Could be stunning, could mean plenty of mosquito bites for the cast and crew.
The financing is all independent, so they’re not beholden to the usual Hollywood overlords. What we don’t have yet is an actual release date—there’s nothing on the calendar, cinema or streaming-wise.