Cole Sprouse, ‘The Holdovers’ Actor Darby Lee Stack to Star in Milad Schwartz Avaz’s U.S. Debut ‘Elastic Hearts’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”) and Darby Lee Stack (“The Holdovers”) have been cast as the leads in “Elastic Hearts,” which marks the first U.S. feature from Danish filmmaker Milad Schwartz Avaz.

The intimate, character-driven drama is set in contemporary America, though plot details remain under wraps. Sprouse will play Oliver, while Stack takes on the role of Allie in Avaz’s American debut after establishing himself as one of Europe’s rising talents.

“I am thrilled to make my U.S. debut with performers as fearless and generous as Cole and Darby,” said Avaz, who serves as writer and director. “‘Elastic Hearts’ is a deeply personal film about love and the choices that shape us.”

Avaz’s previous credits include the seres “Alfa,” the critically acclaimed “While We Live” and “STHLM Blackout,” which marked the first Scandinavian Prime Original. The filmmaker was also named as one of Variety‘s Europeans to Watch in 2018.

Misam Avaz produces for Forty Five Films and Christoffer Jindyl serves as executive producer for Shotgun Productions. Behind the camera, director of photography Albert Salas, a Cannes Lions and Tribeca and Camerimage winner for “Obey,” will lens the project, while Allan Funch (“If I Die Today”) handles editing duties. Tobias Kropp (“Fixer”) will compose the score, with Lindsey Weissmueller serving as casting director and Paul Merryman as line producer.

Principal photography is scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to Oct. 12, with production taking place in the U.S. Post-production is expected to wrap around New Year’s, with the picture ready by February or March 2026. The film will be submitted to leading 2026 festivals following completion.