Peter Pan and Wendy are finding their way back to each other on screen — just not in Neverland. Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood, who charmed a generation as the leads of the early-2000s live-action Peter Pan, are officially reuniting for a new feature titled Strawberry Roan. The romantic dramedy pairs the longtime fan favorites in a grounded, contemporary story that also marks a major milestone for Sumpter behind the camera.
Strawberry Roan Brings Peter Pan Co-Stars Back Together
Written by Courtney Paige and Julia Mulberry and inspired by a real-life story, Strawberry Roan follows a devoted horse enthusiast (Hurd-Wood) and a failed stock market trader (Sumpter) who drain their modest savings to chase a shared dream across the border. Determined to start a horse sanctuary in Mexico, the young couple imagines a fresh start and a life with purpose. But as love and ambition collide, what begins as a hopeful road trip becomes a test of trust, courage, and connection — and a reminder that the richest reward may not be the future they planned, but what they rediscover together along the way.
For audiences who grew up with Sumpter and Hurd-Wood, the pairing doubles as a nostalgia hit and a chance to see the duo in a wholly new light. Rather than fantasy set pieces, Strawberry Roan leans into intimate character work, relationship stakes, and the very real challenges of building a life from scratch.
Production Timeline, Creative Team, And Casting
Production on Strawberry Roan is gearing up, with cameras set to roll this spring in New Mexico. The Southwestern backdrop promises expansive vistas and sunbaked highways to match the film’s road-movie undercurrent. Tony Neum and Michelle Neum will serve as executive producers, with additional casting now underway. Expect more announcements on supporting roles as the start date approaches.
Paige and Mulberry’s script foregrounds lived-in details — horses, habitats, finances, and the fragile ecosystem of a relationship under pressure — while keeping the focus firmly on the couple at its center. That intimacy echoes the chemistry Sumpter and Hurd-Wood forged years ago, which the team is now channeling into a contemporary romance with emotional stakes.
Jeremy Sumpter Makes His Feature Directing Debut
While the on-screen reunion will delight longtime fans, Strawberry Roan carries added significance for Sumpter, who will direct the feature in addition to starring. “Stepping into my first feature as a director is incredible on its own, but getting to share it with Rachel makes it even more special,” he said. “We forged such a deep bond on Peter Pan, and reuniting after all these years feels like a homecoming of sorts. There’s something profoundly full circle about creating again with someone who helped shape such an important part of my childhood. I’m overwhelmed—in the best way—and so grateful for this chance to tell a story together.”
That sense of full-circle collaboration extends to the film’s ethos: a story about risk, reinvention, and choosing partnership in the face of uncertainty. Sumpter’s dual role signals a personal investment in the material, with Strawberry Roan poised to showcase his perspective as a filmmaker alongside the on-screen dynamic that first brought him and Hurd-Wood to international attention.
Why This Reunion Resonates
Peter Pan has endured as a comfort watch for millennials and Gen Z viewers who discovered Sumpter as the boy who never grew up. During a recent appearance on Today Extra, Sumpter reflected on the film’s staying power and the connection it continues to forge with audiences. “Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. That movie has touched so many souls,” he told hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys. “It’s given people hope, and people who go through the ringer… or who are having a hard time, it’s the movie they watch. For every generation, it hits home. The movie never really grows old.”
That enduring affection is part of what makes Strawberry Roan notable: it reunites two performers shaped by a formative project and places them in a modern, adult framework where their chemistry can evolve. The premise — a couple betting everything on a shared dream — gives Sumpter and Hurd-Wood room to play tenderness, tension, humor, and heartache within a propulsive, hopeful story.
The film also taps into a broader audience appetite for romance that feels lived-in. Rather than grand fantasies, Strawberry Roan charts the reality of building a future together — the budget math, the compromises, the roadblocks, and the quiet victories — while spotlighting the emotional resilience that keeps two people moving forward.
What’s Next For Strawberry Roan
With filming set for this spring in New Mexico, Strawberry Roan is moving quickly through pre-production. Executive producers Tony Neum and Michelle Neum are steering the project toward its start date as casting continues for additional roles around Sumpter and Hurd-Wood. Expect first-look images and further announcements once production begins.
For fans of Peter Pan — and anyone eager to see a heartfelt road romance anchored by familiar faces — Strawberry Roan is one to watch. It reunites two actors whose on-screen connection helped define a generation’s childhood movie memories, while giving Sumpter a chance to step confidently into the director’s chair. If the film delivers on its promise, their journey from Neverland to new beginnings could resonate just as strongly the second time around.
