Key Points:
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Everything’s Going to Be Great premiered on June 20, 2025, after a debut at Tribeca Festival on June 9.
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The cast includes Bryan Cranston, Allison Janney, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Jack Champion as the Smart family.
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Chris Cooper and Simon Rex have supporting roles as Walter and Kyle, respectively.
Everything’s Going to Be Great is a 2025 comedy-drama film exploring the highs and lows of a family involved in regional theater. Directed by Jon S. Baird and written by Steven Rogers, the film stars Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney and debuted in the U.S. on June 20, 2025. Its strong ensemble cast has drawn attention from critics and audiences alike.
Who Stars in Everything’s Going to Be Great?
Everything’s Going to Be Great centers around the Smart family, brought to life by an ensemble of critically acclaimed and emerging talents. Bryan Cranston leads as Buddy Smart, a hopeful Broadway producer navigating family and stage dreams. Allison Janney stars opposite him as Macy Smart, a grounded maternal figure balancing ambition and responsibility.
Their sons are portrayed by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Lester Smart) and Jack Champion (Derrick Smart), both of whom bring emotional depth and contrast to the story’s central dynamic. Lester undergoes a coming-of-age transformation, while Derrick contributes a different temperament, adding to the film’s nuanced portrayal of family tension and unity.
In supporting roles, Chris Cooper plays Walter, and Simon Rex plays Kyle. While the details of these characters are limited, both actors’ participation has been confirmed through verified sources like Fandango. Their roles, though secondary, contribute to the central narrative’s broader themes of personal reinvention and generational conflict.
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What Is the Plot of Everything’s Going to Be Great and How Does the Cast Fit In?
Set within the context of regional theater, Everything’s Going to Be Great tells the story of the Smart family as they chase theatrical dreams while confronting personal and financial challenges. Buddy Smart, played by Bryan Cranston, is the emotional center — a father whose optimism drives the family’s ambitions despite practical setbacks.
Macy Smart, portrayed by Allison Janney, represents a balancing force. Her character grounds the story by managing the practical realities of parenting and survival in a competitive artistic environment. Their on-screen chemistry has been widely noted, with several reviews comparing them to iconic performance duos.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, as Lester, represents the introspective side of adolescence. His arc involves self-discovery and growing tension between familial expectations and personal identity. Jack Champion as Derrick brings a contrasting personality, often challenging or complementing Lester’s journey, which enhances the film’s emotional texture.
Chris Cooper’s Walter and Simon Rex’s Kyle serve as pivotal background figures. Their characters interact with the Smart family in ways that reinforce the story’s themes of mentorship, rivalry, or generational disconnect — common threads in narratives centered around creative environments.
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Production Details:
The film’s principal photography began on April 21, 2023, in North Bay, Ontario, and concluded by July 2023. The choice of a Canadian filming location aligns with the story’s small-town theater setting, offering the appropriate backdrop for the film’s grounded aesthetic.
Everything’s Going to Be Great made its festival premiere at Tribeca on June 9, 2025, receiving early praise for performances and chemistry between the lead actors. Its U.S. theatrical release followed on June 20, 2025, timed for a summer rollout aimed at drama-loving audiences.
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Complete Cast List of Everything’s Going to Be Great
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Cranston | Buddy Smart | Optimistic father and aspiring Broadway producer. |
| Allison Janney | Macy Smart | The family’s pragmatic anchor, dealing with life and financial pressures. |
| Benjamin Evan Ainsworth | Lester Smart | Teen son undergoing identity development and emotional conflict. |
| Jack Champion | Derrick Smart | The more outspoken and energetic sibling. |
| Chris Cooper | Walter | Supporting character; limited public details, confirmed by Fandango. |
| Simon Rex | Kyle | Another ensemble role, confirmed through Fandango sources. |
The distribution of roles supports a narrative structure where each family member carries a unique emotional and functional role. The ensemble format allows secondary characters like Walter and Kyle to support and contrast the family dynamic without diverting focus from the main arc.
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