Apple Boards Platinum Dunes Thriller ‘Sponsor’ Reuniting With ‘Shrinking’ Star Jason Segel And Director James Ponsoldt

EXCLUSIVE: Keeping up its strong ties with Shrinking talents Jason Segel and James Ponsoldt, Apple Original Films has landed the global rights to the psychological thriller with Segel set to star and Ponsoldt directing. Apple Studios will also produce the new feature that is set to be shot in California. The film hails from an original idea co-written by Segel and Ponsoldt, who also serve as executive producers on Apple’s Emmy Award-nominated comedy Shrinking.

The film follows, Peter (Segel), who makes a big mistake when he gets behind the wheel after partying too hard. A terrible accident leaves him with a choice: prison or a recovery program. Convinced he doesn’t have a drinking problem, he begrudgingly shows up to his first meeting and searches for a sponsor. In walks no-nonsense, charismatic yet enigmatic Jerry. Peter is convinced Jerry is the answer to his prayers.

Hailing from Apple Studios and produced by Platinum Dunes, the pic will be produced by Segel and Ponsoldt as well as Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Alex Ginno who will produce for Platinum Dunes. The film marks the latest collaboration for Apple, Segel and Ponsoldt following Emmy Award-nominated comedy Shrinking, which returns for its third season on January 28, 2026. Segel and Ponsoldt also previously collaborated on the 2015 feature The End of the Tour, in which Segel starred and Ponsoldt directed.

Segel is currently in production on Marc Forster’s Anxious People opposite Angelina Jolie and will next star in Jorma Taccone’s feature, Over Your Dead Body which IFC will release in 2026.  

Segel is repped by UTA, Ocean Avenue and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern and Ponsodlt is repped by UTA and Brillstein Partners.

The pic will join a growing slate of award-winning and global hit Apple Original Films including F1 The Movie, the highest grossing sports feature of all time, set to make its global debut on Apple TV on December 12, 2025.