The Daniels Direct 'Thasnagar,' a Sci-Fi Coming-of-Age Feature Filming in Los Angeles This Summer

The directing duo behind one of the most celebrated films of the past decade is heading back to set. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as The Daniels, are set to begin principal photography on their next feature film, "Thasnagar," in the Los Angeles area starting August 3, 2026, with the shoot expected to run through early October. The production is currently in pre-production and actively casting, which means crew opportunities across multiple departments are opening up right now. For anyone looking to work alongside one of the most in-demand creative teams in contemporary cinema, this is the moment to get your name in front of the right people.

The Daniels need very little introduction to anyone who has spent time in a theater or on an awards circuit over the past few years. Their feature "Everything Everywhere All at Once," produced through their longtime production company Year of the Rat and released by A24 in 2022, became a genuine cultural phenomenon, sweeping the Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh. Before that, their 2016 feature "Swiss Army Man" announced them as a genuinely singular voice in genre filmmaking, blending absurdist humor with deep emotional sincerity. "Thasnagar" appears to continue in that spirit. The project is described as a sci-fi adventure coming-of-age story centered on high school students who want to save the world, a logline that feels very much in keeping with the Daniels' affinity for grounding enormous, world-bending concepts in deeply personal human stakes. The Daniels are credited as both director and writer on the project, meaning this is an original vision from the ground up, not an adaptation.

Executive producer Jonathan Wang returns alongside The Daniels on this project. Wang has been a consistent creative and producing partner with the duo for years, serving as producer on both "Swiss Army Man" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and his involvement signals a close-knit, returning team that prizes creative continuity. The production is being set up through Bovine Revolution, LLC, alongside Year of the Rat, the Daniels' own production banner. While no studio or distributor has been publicly announced in the current production data, the combination of the Daniels' post-Oscar stature, Wang's producing track record, and the genre ambition of the project suggests this will attract significant attention from major distributors and streamers. Casting director Debe Waisman is attached, which is a key signal for agents and talent: Waisman is an active and respected figure in the Los Angeles casting community, and her involvement confirms that the talent search is underway in earnest.

Los Angeles is the confirmed filming location, with production expected to operate in and around the greater LA area for roughly two months. Shooting in LA has obvious logistical advantages: the local crew base is among the deepest in the world, stage facilities and backlot infrastructure are abundant, and productions of virtually any scale can be fully staffed locally without importing talent. California's Film and Television Tax Credit Program, administered by the California Film Commission, is almost certainly a factor in the location decision, as the state's competitive incentive program has made it increasingly attractive for mid-to-large features to stay local rather than relocate to Georgia or Canada. For Los Angeles-based crew, this is a rare chance to work on a major feature without leaving home. Given the sci-fi and adventure elements of the story, crew with experience in visual effects pipelines, creature work, or large-scale practical effects should take note. The Daniels are known for inventive, practical-first production design, so the art department and costume department on this film are likely to be substantial and creatively ambitious.

"Thasnagar" is a feature film, not a series, which means the crew structure will be a single consolidated production rather than a multi-episode staffing pipeline. The two-month shoot window from August through early October is a solid principal photography timeline for a feature of this likely scale. Given the Daniels' track record and producing setup, this is almost certainly a SAG-AFTRA and IATSE union shoot. Department heads across camera, production design, costumes, VFX, and locations are most likely being approached and locked now, while the broader crew call will follow as production inches closer to the August cameras-up date. With a coming-of-age story involving high school students, expect a significant young cast and the logistics that come with working with minors on set, which adds coordination layers for ADs and production coordinators to keep in mind.

For the full production listing on "Thasnagar," including confirmed crew contacts, production office information, and scheduling updates as they become available, head to ProductionList.com and search the title directly. The Daniels do not make films often, which makes every one of their productions a meaningful event in the industry calendar. Pre-production is the window where the core team gets built, and that window is open right now. If this is the kind of project you want on your resume, do not wait to follow up.

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