Daisy Ridley & Cillian Murphy Projects Share A Key Producer: Cindy Cowan

Cindy Cowan is proving once again why she remains one of Hollywood’s most reliable producers of star-powered projects. Her latest producer credit is “Cleaner,” a 2025 action thriller directed by famed “Casino Royale” director Martin Campbell and starring “Star Wars” icon Daisy Ridley opposite Clive Owen. It underscores Cowan’s instinct for pairing bankable names with high-concept stories built for global audiences. Her producing slate also includes acclaimed titles like “Red Lights,” the Sundance supernatural thriller starring “Oppenheimer” Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, Marvel Studios’ Elizabeth Olsen, and Robert De Niro, showcasing her long-running ability to unite Hollywood’s most in-demand talent.

“Cleaner” Reinvents Daisy Ridley Beyond The “Star Wars” Saga

“Cleaner” marks a bold pivot for Ridley, stepping out from the success of the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy and into the hands of producer Cindy Cowan and director Martin Campbell—known for reshaping James Bond with “Casino Royale.” In the gritty London thriller opposite Clive Owen, Ridley shows range, while Cowan demonstrates her ability to reposition global stars with smart tone and platform strategy. To Cowan, it’s all about timing and balance. As she put it in an interview with The Badass CEO, “I just think it’s having the mindset that you’re not good enough to start and you’re not too high to ever come down. To realize that you’re never going to do anything unless you start.” That determined clarity shaped “Cleaner” into both a critical and market-ready standout.

“Red Lights” Unites Oscar-Winning Talent With Emerging Power

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Cowan’s work on “Red Lights” reads like a masterclass in casting. Premiering at Sundance, the supernatural thriller starred Sigourney Weaver—immortalized by the “Alien” franchise—two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “The Irishman”), and Cillian Murphy, whose breakout in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” would earn him Oscar gold. Cowan brought them together intentionally, trusting “trial and error is the best way to learn.” The result was a festival darling that delivered both prestige clout and audience curiosity. That balance remains a signature through line of her production acumen.

Beyond features, Cowan produced “Arkansas,” a Southern crime drama starring audience favorites Vince Vaughn and Liam Hemsworth. She also shaped “Miracle on 42nd Street,” an Emmy-winning documentary featuring Alicia Keys, Terrence Howard, and Samuel L. Jackson—underscoring her capacity to weave star power into stories with cultural resonance.

Pivoting to Pop Culture With a Pickleball Comedy

Not content to stay within thriller territory, Cowan is producing “Pickleheads”, an original comedy mockumentary directed by Josh Flanagan. The film stars Harvey Guillén of “What We Do in the Shadows” and Adrianne Palicki of “The Orville,” alongside Pej Vahdat, known for featured roles in “The Old Man” with Jeff Bridges, “Empire,” and “Bones.” Rounding out the ensemble are Kristine Froseth, Eric Nelsen, Ryan Cooper, Lindsey Morgan, Sam Humphrey, and Jared Bonner. Bonner also wrote the film, following his recent script for “Cottonmouth,” which starred “The Magnificent Seven’s” Martin Sensmeier and “Hellboy’s” Ron Perlman.

“Pickleheads” demonstrates Cowan’s knack for backing culturally resonant projects that tap into real-time pop culture—in this case, the surging popularity of pickleball—while still surrounding the concept with recognizable talent. It adds a new dimension to a slate that already includes the highly anticipated action thriller “Cleaner”, starring “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” lead Daisy Ridley and directed by “Casino Royale’s” Martin Campbell. Cowan is also producing the upcoming horror film “The Haunting in Wicker Park”, featuring Erin Moriarty of “The Boys” and Jamie Campbell Bower of “Stranger Things.”

Cindy Cowan’s producing career embodies a dynamic equilibrium: prestigious titles, market awareness, cultural pulse, and personal integrity. She reframes stars—Ridley in grounded action, Murphy in suspenseful mystery—curates powerhouse ensembles, and initiates timely comedies with rising and established talent. Her name in the credits signals a project worth watching, whether navigating festival circuits or trending on streaming platforms.

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