Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Pullman are set to star in an upcoming film centered around Hugh Hefner and the Playboy empire.
Hugh Hefner was more than just the founder of Playboy; he transformed it into a multifaceted brand. Beyond its provocative imagery, Playboy mixed bold photographic content with literary works, cultural critiques, and comprehensive interviews with key figures from various fields including politics, music, art, and literature. Hefner’s ventures expanded into Playboy Clubs globally and his extravagant lifestyle and parties at his opulent mansions became iconic cultural symbols.
Searchlight Pictures has recently secured Playmates, a film inspired by the Playboy legacy, starring talents such as Lily-Rose Depp, Indiana Elle, and Bill Pullman, who will portray Hugh Hefner. The film marks the directorial debut of Lorraine Nicholson, who draws on her childhood experiences at the Playboy Mansion for the film’s narrative.
Playmates unfolds in Los Angeles and follows the story of a precocious 13-year-old girl named Elle, portrayed by Indiana Elle, who considers the Playboy Mansion her second home. It is here that she meets Anna, played by Lily-Rose Depp, a contender for the title of Playmate of the Month. The plot thickens as an unlikely friendship forms between them, focusing on their mutual aspirations involving a magazine cover feature and romantic interests.
The film is being produced by Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery of High Frequency Entertainment, with Lily-Rose Depp also taking on a producer role. Overseeing the project at Searchlight Pictures are Richard Ruiz, Vice President of Production, and Cornelia Burleigh, Creative Executive, under the guidance of DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas, Heads of Production and Development.
Lily-Rose Depp recently collaborated again with director Robert Eggers in the upcoming horror movie Werwulf, following her acclaimed performance in Nosferatu (2024). She is also featured in the Zellner Brothers’ sci-fi comedy Alpha Gang, which debuted at Telluride and TIFF.
Conversely, Bill Pullman’s latest roles include appearances in Netflix’s The Boroughs, Everybody Digs Bill Evans, and Paul Schrader’s The Basics of Philosophy, which premiered at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. He is also set to appear in A24’s Famous and Spaceballs: The New One.
Indiana Elle gained fame with her role as Cecelia Winchester in the thriller The Housemaid (2025), acting alongside Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, and Sydney Sweeney. She followed this with performances in Apple TV’s limited series Imperfect Woman (2026) and a supporting role in Apple’s comedy The Dink (2026).
With a dynamic cast, a director with personal insights into the Playboy world, and a storied backdrop, Playmates is poised to offer a unique look into an iconic part of American cultural history. The film community and audiences alike eagerly await the final product.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
