Breeda Wool and Natasha Halevi are set to lead the female-driven thriller "Cottontail," directed by Sander Gusinow.
Lead Roles and Plot Details
Wool takes on the role of Gwynnie Vail, a cunning escaped convict hiding in a remote cabin near the Idaho–Oregon border. When sisters Autumn (Halevi) and Summer (Leah Shannon) arrive seeking abortion medication, Vail entangles them in a brutal psychological game testing their loyalty and survival instincts.
"I've always wanted to inhabit a character like Gwynnie Vail – feral, untethered and operating outside society’s rules," Wool said. She describes "Cottontail" as a film that honors but subverts the slasher tradition.
Cast and Crew Insights
Natasha Halevi describes the film as "a sharp, multifaceted exploration of survival and sisterhood in a world that isn’t built for women." Wool's previous credits include "Mr. Mercedes," "National Treasure: Edge of History," and "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live," with a recent appearance on "NCIS." Halevi has appeared in "Peacemaker," "Superman," and "The Buildout."
Leah Shannon, known for "Ouiji: A New Beginning," and Lee Arenberg, from "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Once Upon a Time," also star. Arenberg plays the sisters' domineering father.
Director's Vision and Background
"Cottontail" marks Gusinow’s feature directorial debut. His script "Big Sisters" won the 2022 Screencraft Feature Competition grand prize. Gusinow holds a master's degree in playwriting and screenwriting from Columbia University.
"I wrote the film’s script in response to a cultural moment that feels increasingly unmoored, where people are pushed to extremes just to cope," Gusinow told Variety.
Production and Representation
"Cottontail" is produced by Mikyla Bordner, Morgan Raymond, Jason Wilkinson, and Gusinow. Wool is represented by Innovative Artists, Halevi by Exclusive Artists Agency, Shannon by Big Fish Talent, and Arenberg by David Guc at Vanguard Management Group.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/cottontail-breeda-wool-natasha-halevi-sander-gusinow-1236746874/
