Prepare for a captivating and sun-drenched true story when “Waltzing with Brando” premieres in theaters on September 19, 2025. The film recounts the unbelievable, stranger-than-fiction tale of how legendary movie star Marlon Brando, at the height of his fame and eccentricity, recruited a unassuming Los Angeles architect to help him realize an audacious dream: building the world’s first fully ecologically perfect retreat. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of a small, uninhabited island in Tahiti, the story follows the complex, frustrating, and often hilarious collaboration between the two men as they clash over design, budget, and vision, all while navigating the logistical nightmare of creating a sustainable paradise in a remote corner of the world.

Bringing this extraordinary chapter of Hollywood and architectural history to life is a stellar cast led by Billy Zane, who takes on the formidable challenge of portraying the iconic Marlon Brando. He is joined by Jon Heder as the architect Bernard Judge, the straight man to Brando’s mercurial genius. The supporting cast includes Rob Corddry, Alaina Huffman, and Camille Razat, who portray the various assistants, locals, and interpreters caught in the orbit of this monumental and quixotic project. “Waltzing with Brando” promises to be a witty, visually stunning, and ultimately poignant exploration of art, ego, environmentalism, and the impossible allure of paradise.

Waltzing with Brando cast guide

1: Billy Zane as Marlon Brando

The formidable Billy Zane steps into the shoes of one of the most iconic and complex figures in cinematic history, Marlon Brando. Zane, known for his roles in Titanic and Tombstone, possesses the charisma, physical presence, and dramatic depth necessary to embody Brando’s larger-than-life persona. His performance will capture the many facets of the star: his magnetic genius, his notorious unpredictability, his deep-seated environmental and social convictions, and the childlike wonder he held for his Tahitian sanctuary. Zane’s challenge is to avoid mere imitation and instead channel the spirit of a man who was both a tormented artist and a visionary dreamer.

Zane’s portrayal will focus on Brando in the 1970s, a period of great professional power and personal reclusion. The film will explore his motivation for the project—a desire to create a utopia free from the pollution and corruption of the modern world, a reflection of his own idealized vision of Tahitian culture. Zane will masterfully navigate the character’s shifts from charming persuasiveness to stubborn defiance, revealing the profound loneliness and idealism that drove Brando to pursue such an impossible, beautiful dream.

2: Jon Heder as Bernard Judge

Jon Heder, forever known as Napoleon Dynamite but who has shown great range beyond that iconic role, stars as Bernard Judge, the pragmatic Los Angeles architect recruited for Brando’s fantastical project. Heder is perfectly cast as the everyman—a talented professional suddenly thrust into a surreal world of celebrity whimsy and logistical nightmares. His character serves as the audience’s surrogate, reacting with bemusement, frustration, and eventual admiration for his larger-than-life client and the breathtaking challenge before him.

Heder’s performance will provide the film’s heart and comic relief. As Judge, he is the grounded voice of reason constantly battling against Brando’s ever-changing, often impractical, but always inspired ideas. His journey is one of professional and personal growth, as he evolves from a star-struck architect into a determined partner, equally invested in solving the puzzle of how to build a sustainable paradise without ruining the very environment they seek to protect. His chemistry with Zane will be the dynamic core of the entire film.

3: George Psarras as Ron

George Psarras joins the cast as Ron, a character likely based on one of the key figures involved in the real-life construction on Tetiaroa. Given the nature of the project, Ron could be a local Tahitian foreman, a construction expert brought in from elsewhere, or one of Brando’s loyal assistants tasked with managing the day-to-day chaos on the ground. His role represents the practical execution of the dream, dealing with the realities of weather, supplies, and labor that exist far from the drawing board.

Psarras’s character will be the link between the visionary ideas of Brando and Judge and the physical reality of the island. He is the man who must translate architectural plans into structures that can withstand the South Pacific elements, often having to improvise solutions when materials don’t arrive or designs prove unworkable. His performance will highlight the immense human effort and ingenuity required to make a movie star’s dream a tangible reality.

4: Rob Corddry as Jack Bellin

The brilliantly comedic actor Rob Corddry, known for Childrens Hospital and Hot Tub Time Machine, takes on the role of Jack Bellin. This character’s name suggests he may be based on a real person, likely a Hollywood agent, lawyer, or financial manager representing Brando’s interests. Corddry is a master of playing exasperated, fast-talking characters who are trying to maintain control in a situation spiraling into chaos—a perfect fit for someone tasked with managing the budget and logistics for a famously mercurial client’s multi-million dollar island fantasy.

Corddry’s performance will provide a significant source of comedy, representing the “suits” back in Los Angeles who are horrified by the open-ended costs and lack of ROI on a personal eco-paradise. His phone calls with Brando and Judge will be highlights, as he tries to apply Hollywood business logic to a project that operates on an entirely different set of rules dictated by art, ego, and the tides.

5: Alaina Huffman as Dana

Alaina Huffman, known for her roles in Supernatural and Stargate Universe, brings her talent to the role of Dana. This character could be an assistant to Brando or Judge, a journalist documenting the project, or perhaps a representative of an environmental organization. Her presence suggests a strong, professional woman navigating the male-dominated worlds of both Hollywood and construction, potentially serving as a voice of reason or a catalyst for conflict.

Huffman’s role will add another perspective to the narrative. Dana could be the character who questions the ethics or feasibility of the project, or she could be its biggest advocate, understanding its symbolic importance. Her interactions with the main duo will help to explore the broader implications of their work, questioning whether any development, no matter how well-intentioned, can truly be ecologically “perfect.”

The Supporting Ensemble: Family and Islanders

The film is richly supported by actors who bring the world of Tetiaroa to life. Ava Zane (Billy Zane’s daughter) plays Sabrina, a role that could be a family member or a symbolic character. Camille Razat (Emily in Paris) portrays Michelle, likely a French-Tahitian interpreter or local official, bridging the cultural gap between the American interlopers and the Tahitian community.

Ha’anui Bellais takes on the role of Captain Sui, undoubtedly a seasoned Tahitian boat captain and a man of the sea, who represents the deep, enduring connection between the Polynesian people and their environment. His character will be a source of wisdom and practical island knowledge, reminding everyone that the island was a paradise long before they arrived to build on it. Together, this ensemble creates the vibrant cultural and personal tapestry against which this unique story unfolds.

6: Bill Davis as Dick Cavett Show Announcer & Dick Cavett as Self (archive footage)

Bill Davis appears as the announcer for The Dick Cavett Show, setting the stage for a key narrative device. The use of Dick Cavett via archive footage is a brilliant stroke, as Brando was a famous and infamously unpredictable guest on Cavett’s show. These interviews will likely be used throughout the film to provide insight into Brando’s state of mind, his philosophies, and his public persona during the period he was embarking on this private island adventure, creating a fascinating contrast between his Hollywood image and his tropical obsession.