McDonagh, Herzog, Fern Films Set for 2026 Toronto Fest

The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival has locked in its final wave of high-profile titles, and the lineup is as eclectic as it is star-driven. Organizers confirmed on Tuesday that new films from Martin McDonagh, Werner Herzog, and a buzzy Cody Fern project will round out this year’s slate, adding a jolt of auteur firepower to an already crowded September schedule.

McDonagh, the Oscar-winning playwright and filmmaker behind Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin, is expected to bring his signature blend of dark wit and explosive character drama to the festival. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, industry insiders suggest the project marks a return to his theatrical roots, with a tight ensemble cast and a story that hinges on moral ambiguity. This will be McDonagh’s first feature since Banshees earned nine Academy Award nominations in 2023, and Toronto has long been a proving ground for his work. His previous films have all screened there to critical acclaim, so the inclusion feels like a natural homecoming.

Werner Herzog, the indefatigable German director and documentarian, is also set to premiere a new work at the festival, extending a career that now spans over six decades. Herzog’s latest effort arrives with the kind of existential curiosity that defines his filmography - whether it’s a narrative feature or a documentary, his presence alone guarantees a probing examination of human nature. The 83-year-old filmmaker has never been one to rest on past glories, and his recent output has ranged from the documentary The Fire Within to the animated The Boy and the Heron voice role. Toronto audiences have seen him premiere films before, but this selection already has critics speculating about another career-high entry from a man who treats cinema as a form of philosophical inquiry.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the new film starring Cody Fern. The Australian actor, known for his scene-stealing turns in American Crime Story and American Horror Story, has been building a reputation as a chameleon-like performer, and this project reportedly casts him in a leading role that trades on his intensity. While the director and full cast list have not been officially announced, the fact that TIFF chose to highlight Fern’s name in the headline suggests the studio behind the film is confident in its commercial and critical potential. For Fern, a Toronto premiere would be a significant step up the ladder, placing him squarely in the awards-season conversation before the film even hits theaters.

The announcement fills the final gaps in a festival program that was already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Organizers had previously teased a mix of returning heavyweights and emerging voices, but this trio adds a layer of prestige that could make the 2026 edition a turning point for the festival’s identity. After a few years of industry turbulence, TIFF has worked hard to reassert itself as the premier fall launching pad, and securing names like McDonagh and Herzog sends a clear message: the festival is not just hosting movies, it’s hosting events.

For McDonagh, the trip to Toronto is also a chance to reset expectations. His last outing, Banshees, was a critical darling but came up short at the Oscars, losing Best Picture to Everything Everywhere All at Once. A strong showing here could position his new film as the frontrunner to beat when awards season kicks into full swing in November. Herzog, meanwhile, has never chased awards with any visible urgency, but his films’ inclusion always elevates the discourse, and fest-goers will likely pack screenings just to hear him speak in the Q&A.

Cody Fern’s star has been rising steadily since his breakout role as David Madson in The Assassination of Gianni Versace. He has since appeared in a hodgepodge of indie dramas and cable series, always leaving an impression, but this Toronto slot feels like his proper mainstream launch. The buzz around his performance is already building, with early whispers pointing to a role that requires both physical transformation and emotional rawness. If the film lands as well as insiders suggest, Fern could become the name on everyone’s lips come award nominations.

The full 2026 TIFF slate will be revealed in waves over the coming weeks, with the festival running from September 10 through September 20. Tickets for the highlighted screenings are expected to sell out quickly, particularly for Herzog’s film, given his cult-like following. The festival has not yet confirmed which day each title will premiere, but the closing weekend is rumored to be reserved for the biggest names.

For now, the announcement serves as a reminder that Toronto remains the place where the fall movie season truly begins. Between McDonagh’s sharp dialogue, Herzog’s unblinking gaze at the world, and Fern’s audacious screen presence, this year’s fest is shaping up to be a testament to the range of modern cinema - from the theatrical to the instinctive, the thought-provoking to the visceral. Audiences will have to wait until September to see if the films match the hype, but the pieces are in place for a memorable year.

Source: Hollywood Reporter