True Story, High Stakes: Stan and Woodall Star in "Burning Rainbow Farm"

Thunderbolts' star Sebastian Stan and White Lotus breakout Leo Woodall are set to lead Burning Rainbow Farm, the latest true-story thriller from director Justin Kurzel. The film, which will be introduced to international buyers at the Cannes Film Festival by Rocket Science, recounts the story of Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm—a gay couple in rural Michigan who founded a peaceful, cannabis-friendly utopia known as Rainbow Farm. When a custody battle over their son escalated into a standoff with local authorities in 2001, it culminated in one of the most dramatic sieges in U.S. history, just days before the events of 9/11. Stan will portray Crosslin, with Woodall taking on the role of Rohm, as announced by The Hollywood Reporter.

The project features a screenplay by acclaimed writer Tommy Murphy (Holding the Man) and is based on Dean Kuipers’ 2006 nonfiction book, Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke. Producers include Nicole O’Donohue, Alexandra Taussig, and Kurzel for Thirdborn, alongside Anonymous Content’s Adam Shulman, Mad Dog Films’ Alix Madigan, and Votiv’s Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights. Kurzel, known for his unflinching takes on true stories (Snowtown, The Order), describes the film as “a love story about two outliers who raise their middle finger to hate and declare, ‘This is who we are, and we dare you to take it from us.’”

While no additional cast has been announced, Stan and Woodall's involvement signals strong awards potential. Stan recently drew critical acclaim for portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice, while Woodall continues his rise following roles in The White Lotus and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Filming has yet to begin, with a release likely no earlier than 2026. With its politically charged narrative and emotionally resonant core, Burning Rainbow Farm is shaping up to be one of Kurzel’s most poignant and timely projects to date.