Chris O’Donnell is expanding his Hollywood career in a major way. The actor-producer has launched Lone Cypress Entertainment, a new production company designed to develop projects across digital, television, and film, with its first feature already in motion: Kilkenny, an Irish-set movie starring P.J. Byrne and directed by Jay Duplass.
For fans of TV and film industry moves, the debut of Lone Cypress Entertainment signals more than a celebrity vanity label. O’Donnell is positioning the company as a creator-focused home where writers, filmmakers, and performers can shape projects from the earliest idea stage through production.
Chris O’Donnell Unveils Lone Cypress Entertainment
With Lone Cypress Entertainment, O’Donnell says he wants to build strong creative teams and invest in ideas early. The company has backing for both development and production, giving it room to support stories before they are fully packaged for the market.
That mission matters in an entertainment landscape where many writers and emerging creators struggle to get momentum behind original material. According to O’Donnell’s vision, Lone Cypress Entertainment will help move projects forward whether they begin as:
- A pitch
- A short story
- An article
- A book
- A spec script
This broad development strategy suggests the company aims to be flexible, modern, and talent-first. Rather than waiting for fully commercialized packages, Lone Cypress Entertainment plans to get involved early, which could make it attractive to writers looking for hands-on support.
The First Project: ‘Kilkenny’ Heads to Ireland
The launch title for Lone Cypress Entertainment is Kilkenny, a film set in Ireland. While plot details remain under wraps, the project already has a strong creative lineup behind it.
The film will star P.J. Byrne, while Jay Duplass is attached to direct. Byrne and Duplass are also writing the script, based on a story by Byrne and Andrew Muscato. O’Donnell will produce alongside Jay Lavender, Muscato, Byrne, and Duplass.
The combination of Byrne’s character-driven energy and Duplass’ indie storytelling sensibility gives Kilkenny an intriguing foundation. Even without a public synopsis, the project appears positioned as a performance-led film built around relationships and distinctive characters.
Why ‘Kilkenny’ Stands Out
Several elements make Kilkenny notable right away:
- An Ireland setting: Irish-set films continue to attract international interest thanks to their atmosphere, history, and cinematic landscapes.
- A talent-driven origin: The project emerged through longstanding creative relationships rather than a studio-mandated package.
- A collaborative writing team: Byrne, Duplass, and Muscato bring a blend of acting, writing, and indie production experience.
For a first title, Kilkenny reflects the kind of creative identity Lone Cypress Entertainment appears eager to establish: intimate, artist-led, and relationship-driven.
Why Chris O’Donnell Started Lone Cypress Entertainment Now
Timing is a big part of this story. O’Donnell explained that the end of NCIS: Los Angeles after 14 seasons aligned with a period of major disruption across the entertainment business. As he looked toward the next chapter of his career, he was drawn to more distinctive work and meaningful creative partnerships.
That transition helps explain the larger purpose behind Lone Cypress Entertainment. O’Donnell is not only seeking new material for himself; he also wants to help other creators get projects off the ground.
His comments point to two clear motivations:
- Creative reinvention: Moving from long-running series work into development and production across formats.
- Mentorship and legacy: Supporting the next generation of talent while reconnecting with collaborators from earlier stages of his career.
In practical terms, Lone Cypress Entertainment could become a bridge between established industry talent and emerging voices who need guidance, financing, and packaging support.
Jay Lavender’s Role and the Company’s Broader Ambitions
O’Donnell’s producing partner Jay Lavender will help develop and produce projects across genres and formats. That detail is significant because it shows Lone Cypress Entertainment is not being built around a single niche.
Instead, the company appears to be aiming for range, including:
- Digital series
- Television projects
- Feature films
- Early-stage literary and concept development
That multi-format model reflects how the screen industry now operates. A compelling idea might begin as an article, evolve into a scripted series, or become a feature film depending on market fit. By staying format-agnostic, Lone Cypress Entertainment gives itself more room to adapt.
What This Means for TV and Film Fans
For audiences, this is the kind of behind-the-scenes development news worth watching. Star-founded production companies can sometimes produce generic output, but O’Donnell’s stated strategy suggests a more curated approach centered on writers, relationships, and original storytelling.
It also reinforces a wider trend in Hollywood: actors with long television careers increasingly moving into producing and development to gain more creative control. With O’Donnell currently starring in and executive producing 9-1-1: Nashville, he is entering this next phase with both current industry relevance and deep experience.
If Kilkenny lands well, Lone Cypress Entertainment could quickly become a name to watch in both independent film and premium television development.
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Conclusion
The launch of Lone Cypress Entertainment marks a meaningful new chapter for Chris O’Donnell. By combining development financing, creative mentorship, and a talent-led first film in Kilkenny, the company is entering the market with a clear identity. If O’Donnell delivers on his promise to champion strong ideas from the ground up, Lone Cypress Entertainment could become an influential player in the evolving TV and film landscape.
