Hollywood Rejects $10M Film With All-Trans Cast

Lilly Wachowski, the acclaimed director of The Matrix, is facing significant challenges in getting her new film, The Hunted, financed in Hollywood. The dystopian political thriller, which boasts a 'wall-to-wall trans cast', has a budget of around $10 million, but Wachowski claims that financiers are hesitant to support the project due to its trans representation.

The Hunted is currently in development with Anarchists United and Natasha Lyonne's Ariadne banner, and Wachowski has co-written the script with her partner, Mickey Ray Mahoney. Despite the modest budget, Wachowski has stated that financiers 'really don't want to make' The Hunted because of its trans cast. This lack of support has led Wachowski to explore alternative ways to get the film made, including holding a live table read at Los Angeles' Dynasty Typewriter theater from August 7-8.

Wachowski's struggles to secure financing for The Hunted come at a time when trans representation in Hollywood is declining. According to GLAAD's recent 'Where We Are in Film' study, there were zero transgender characters in the 225 films from 10 major distributors released in 2025. The study also noted a 3% decrease in the amount of movies that featured LGBTQ characters, marking the third year of declining representation since a record high of 28.5% in 2023.

The Hunted is a biting political thriller that explores a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society. The film follows two trans women as they search for the perpetrator of a heinous crime, leading them to the highest reaches of government. Wachowski has described the script as a 'hugely cathartic receptacle' for her anger and frustration with the current state of the world for trans people.

## Why it matters The lack of support for The Hunted highlights the significant challenges faced by filmmakers who aim to tell stories about underrepresented communities. Wachowski's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of increasing diversity and representation in the film industry. As Wachowski continues to seek alternative ways to get The Hunted made, her determination to tell this story is a testament to the power of film to challenge societal norms and promote empathy and understanding.

The fate of The Hunted remains uncertain, but Wachowski's commitment to the project is unwavering. As she stated, 'I'm just going to go out and I'm going to grab that trans joy with all of my friends. And we're going to hopefully experience this together.' Whether or not The Hunted secures financing, Wachowski's passion and dedication to the project will undoubtedly inspire others to continue pushing for greater representation and inclusivity in the film industry.