Willa Fitzgerald Sets Walden Media’s Cold War Thriller ‘Billion Dollar Spy’ Opposite Russell Crowe & Harry Lawtey

By: Anthony D’Alessandro

March 27th, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Strange Darling‘s Willa Fitzgerald is starring opposite Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey in Walden Media’s Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy, we can tell you first.

Fitzgerald will play Mae Lenihan, wife of CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey).

Adapted from the book by David E. Hoffman and produced by Walden Media and Weed Road, the feature project is based on the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, an ordinary man whose extraordinary bravery made him the Pentagon’s most valuable spy.

Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the late Cold War, Billion Dollar Spy follows Tolkachev (Crowe), as he risks everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the United States. Despite repeated rejections by a wary CIA, Tolkachev persisted, embodying the courage to stand against a regime that betrayed its own people.

Finally finding an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey), Tolkachev was able to shift the balance of power, proving that true patriotism lies not in blind allegiance, but in the willingness to challenge a government when it strays from its ideals. In an era when resistance and bravery are more relevant than ever, his story resonates deeply today.

BAFTA Award-winner Amma Asante (Belle, A Way of Life, A United Kingdom) is directing. Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan (Traffic, Syriana) wrote the most recent draft, revising a script penned by Ben August.

Frank Smith, Benjamin Tappan, and Cher Hawrysh of Walden Media are producing alongside Akiva Goldsman and Greg Lessans of Weed Road Pictures. Jane Hooks will serve as an EP. Pioneer Stillking Films’ Ildiko Kemeny, David Minkowski, and Ferenc Szále will serve as co-producers. Hanway Films is handling international sales. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic rights. The project is currently in pre-production.