Tom Holland to star in John Grisham’s 'The Partner' directed by Ozark’s Jason Bateman

Tom Holland is set to star in a new film adaptation of The Partner, based on John Grisham’s 1997 legal thriller, with Ozark actor and director Jason Bateman confirmed to direct.

According to Deadline, Universal Pictures will produce the film, with Holland also serving as a producer through his company, Billy 17, alongside Harry Holland and Will South.

Rideback’s Jonathan Eirich and Nick Reynolds will serve as producer and executive producer, while Bateman, Grisham and David Gernert will also executive produce the project.

The story follows Patrick Lanigan, a young lawyer who fakes his own death and steals $90 million from a client. After years living under a new identity in South America, he is discovered and forced to return home to face the consequences.

Upon release, Grisham’s novel became an international bestseller, following his previous successes with The Pelican Brief and A Time to Kill.

Holland’s involvement in the project was first reported in January, with Oscar-winning screenwriter Graham Moore attached to write the screenplay. Earlier attempts to adapt The Partner, including one led by director John Lee Hancock and New Regency, were never completed.

Before stepping into the role of Lanigan, Holland will appear in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey and reprise his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, both scheduled for release in July 2026.

For Bateman, The Partner marks another directing project following Bad Words and The Family Fang. He also earned an Emmy Award for directing Ozark and most recently appeared in Netflix’s Carry-On and the series Black Rabbit, which he co-directs with Jude Law.