Nicholas Galitzine is in final negotiations to play Ichabod Crane opposite Sydney Sweeney in Hollow, Sony Pictures’ gothic reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Deadline first reported the news on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and the casting has since been picked up widely across the entertainment press.
If the deal closes, the British actor will step into one of American literature’s best-known roles, though this version puts the spotlight on a different character entirely.
What We Know
According to Deadline, Galitzine is close to signing on as Ichabod Crane, the schoolteacher at the heart of Washington Irving’s 1820 short story. Sweeney is already attached to star as Katrina Van Tassel, while Off Campus actor Belmont Cameli has joined the cast as Brom Bones, Ichabod’s rival for Katrina’s affections.
The twist is in the point of view. Rather than following Ichabod, Hollow places Katrina at the center of the story as “the central figure in a dangerous mystery,” with the plot built around a supernatural love triangle. Reports describe the film as a blend of gothic horror, psychological drama and thriller.
Lindsey Anderson Beer is writing and directing the film, adapting her own forthcoming novel of the same name. That book is set to be published by Putnam, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in fall 2027. Beer made her feature directing debut with Pet Sematary: Bloodlines and previously wrote the Netflix teen comedy Sierra Burgess Is a Loser.
Sony acquired the project after a competitive bidding situation, according to JoBlo, and has moved quickly to fill out the cast. Producers include LuckyChap, the company co-founded by Margot Robbie, Beer’s Lab Brew banner and Sweeney’s own Honey Trap. Hollow is set to be the first film from Honey Trap, with Sweeney producing as well as starring.
Background
Galitzine, 32, has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand leading men over the past few years. He broke through with the romantic comedy Red, White & Royal Blue in 2023, then starred opposite Anne Hathaway in The Idea of You. He most recently took on the role of He-Man in Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe, and is also attached to The Mosquito Bowl.
For Sweeney, Hollow adds to a busy run that includes the thriller The Housemaid. Readers can catch up on her career in our Sydney Sweeney biography.
Irving’s tale has been adapted many times for film and television. The best-known modern take is Tim Burton’s 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, which starred Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane and Christina Ricci as Katrina Van Tassel. Fox also ran a Sleepy Hollow drama series for four seasons starting in 2013.
What’s Next
Galitzine’s deal had not been officially confirmed by Sony at the time of the reports, so the casting should be considered close but not final. No production start date or release date has been announced for Hollow.
With the novel not due on shelves until fall 2027, it is still unclear whether the film will arrive before or after the book. More casting news is expected as Sony rounds out the ensemble.
Sources
- Deadline – Nicholas Galitzine Joins Sydney Sweeney In ‘Hollow’ Movie
- The Playlist – Nicholas Galitzine In Talks To Star As Ichabod Crane Opposite Sydney Sweeney
- JoBlo – Nicholas Galitzine in final negotiations to join Sydney Sweeney in Sleepy Hollow reimagining
- WION – Nicholas Galitzine and Sydney Sweeney to lead Sony’s reimagining of Sleepy Hollow