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Dakota Fanning is set to star with her sister, Elle Fanning, in The Nightingale, an adaptation of Kristin Hannah's novel about two sisters in France during World War II. That casting marks the first time the Fannings will share scenes in a film.
The project lists the sisters as producers through Lewellen Pictures. TriStar Pictures announced a release window in February 2027. Michael Morris is set to direct, Dana Stevens is listed as the screenwriter, and Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine are attached as producers.
The Nightingale first entered development after TriStar optioned the novel in 2015. The project moved through directors and writers over several years. It paused in preproduction during the pandemic, and earlier plans included work in Budapest. In July 2025, the studio and the Fanning sisters posted a joint announcement that named the leads and production roles. The studio will announce more cast and schedule details in the days to come.
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Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning on the production and status of The Nightingale
Dakota Fanning will play Vianne Mauriac, and Elle Fanning will play Isabelle Rossignol. The July 2025 announcement named the sisters as leads and as producers through Lewellen Pictures. Dakota Fanning will hold a producer credit, as will Elle.
Dana Stevens is the screenwriter, and Michael Morris is the director. Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine are listed as producing partners with The Cantillon Company. TriStar listed a release date of February 12, 2027.
The project first entered development in 2015. It paused in preproduction during the pandemic. An earlier iteration named Mélanie Laurent as director, with filming planned to happen in Budapest. The project later changed teams and resumed development.
Dakota Fanning addressed the film in an interview with Vanity Fair on September 16, 2025.
"We've literally never done a scene together, ever," she said.
Elle Fanning questioned whether she could stay composed during their first take in the same interview.
"Am I going to laugh? Better to get it out of your system now," she said.
The studio posted a joint announcement on social media in July 2025. Dakota Fanning will continue participating in other projects while the film moves into production.
The Nightingale was a Reese's Book Club selection and has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. The adaptation will follow the two sisters' arcs during the German occupation of France. Vianne is cautious and protective of her family, while Isabelle joins the Resistance and becomes a target.
The screenplay is expected to mirror the dual storyline of the novel, showing both quiet endurance and active defiance. The sisters will continue work on separate projects while The Nightingale moves toward production. The studio will release further casting news and scheduling details. Deadline on July 22, 2025, confirmed the film remains on TriStar's release calendar, with production updates to follow.
