DON WORLEY JOINS AARON ECKHART AND BRENTON THWAITES IN POST-APOCALYPTIC ACTION THRILLER OUT OF THE ASHES

DON WORLEY JOINS AARON ECKHART AND BRENTON THWAITES IN POST-APOCALYPTIC ACTION THRILLER OUT OF THE ASHES

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Worley Takes on Villainous Role of Vernon and Serves as Executive Producer in Steven C. Miller-Directed Action Thriller

Actor and producer Don Worley has joined the cast of the upcoming post-apocalyptic action thriller Out of the Ashes, starring Aaron Eckhart, Brenton Thwaites and Bella Samman, taking on the villainous role of Vernon while also serving as an executive producer on the film.
The project, recently announced by Deadline, is directed by Steven C. Miller, whose credits include Werewolves, Under Fire and Line of Duty.

Set in a world devastated by a mysterious pandemic, Out of the Ashes follows a former soldier, played by Eckhart, who is determined to protect his young daughter, played by Samman, as the two flee a ruthless band of marauders fighting for survival in a society that has collapsed.

Worley steps into decidedly darker territory as Vernon, one of the film's antagonistic figures. The role gives the actor another opportunity to disappear into a character far removed from his own personality and adds a post-apocalyptic villain to an increasingly diverse acting résumé spanning crime, action, drama, comedy, historical films and vertical entertainment.
“Playing Vernon gave me the chance to explore a much darker character, and that is always exciting for me as an actor,” said Worley. “I love roles that allow me to step completely outside of myself. Working with Aaron, Brenton, Steven and this entire cast and crew was an incredible experience. I’m also very proud to be involved on the producing side and help support a film that delivers big action while still being grounded in a story about family and survival.”

Out of the Ashes is written by Chad Law and Dick Grunert. Sagiv Diamant produces through Element Production, with Jordan Dykstra producing and handling worldwide sales through Ignite Pictures. Law also produces through Underdogg Entertainment. Jamie R. Thompson, Jon Keyes, Michael Arata, Denisa Juhos and Don Worley serve as executive producers.
The ensemble also includes Autumn Reeser, Michael Regan and Kira Reed.
For Worley, Out of the Ashes arrives during an exceptionally active period in his acting career. The actor and producer has spent much of 2026 moving between productions in the United States and internationally, taking on dramatically different characters and working alongside established filmmakers and performers.

Worley recently traveled to Budapest for Killing Hitler, in which he portrays notorious New York Mafia boss Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria. He also filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa, on The Mystery of the Golden Spear, the latest installment in the Miranda Green mystery franchise starring Mischa Barton.

He is also part of director Jamie Adams’ Tangled Up in Blue, an improvisational feature whose ensemble includes Quentin Tarantino, Kylie Minogue, Jason Isaacs, Allison Williams, Sofia Boutella, RZA, Hugh Skinner and Craig Roberts.
Worley’s expanding slate additionally includes Whisper Girl, in which he plays a Texas rancher opposite Alyssa Milano, and Iron Jane, starring Eiza González and Brandon Sklenar, in which Worley portrays attorney Brian Hill.

He is also set to appear in Tommy Karate, starring Pete Davidson and Paul Walter Hauser, continuing a run of projects that has increasingly positioned Worley in front of the camera alongside recognizable Hollywood talent.

Earlier this year, Worley starred in the vertical series Tara Reid’s Murder Mystery Party alongside Tara Reid and Vivica A. Fox, demonstrating his interest in moving between traditional feature filmmaking and the rapidly expanding vertical entertainment market.
Worley also had a significant presence at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where several projects connected to his acting and producing career were represented. His recent credits include director Neil Burger’s Barracuda, starring Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen, as well as the independent thriller A Time for Sunset, which Worley helped bring to the international marketplace.

Originally known for his career as an attorney before returning to acting and expanding into film production, Worley has increasingly focused on building a body of work centered around distinctive character roles rather than limiting himself to a single genre.
The role of Vernon in Out of the Ashes continues that trajectory, placing Worley inside a large-scale survival thriller opposite Eckhart and Thwaites while simultaneously expanding his work behind the camera as an executive producer.
Out of the Ashes is being introduced to international buyers through Ignite Pictures at the Toronto International Film Festival market.

Don Worley is an American actor, producer, attorney and founder of Second Chance Pictures. His growing acting résumé spans independent films, international productions, action thrillers, character-driven dramas, comedy and vertical entertainment. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Worley develops, finances and executive produces film and entertainment projects through Second Chance Pictures.

Keri Ann Kimball
Kimball Entertainment
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