Emory Cohen Attached to Star in Joshua Ryan Dietz’s Feature Debut ‘Thick,’ Dark Comedy Set for California Production

Emory Cohen is attached to star in Thick, a dark comedy that marks writer-director Joshua Ryan Dietz’s feature directorial debut, according to Deadline. The announcement frames the project as a character-driven story built around masculinity, reputation, and the pressure of being defined by a single trait, with Dietz working from his own script.

Deadline’s report says Thick centers on a character named Richard, described as a small-town man whose “unusually large” anatomy makes him a local legend. The plot is outlined as a dark comedy that uses the idea of a community myth and personal attention to examine how modern standards shape identity, behavior, and relationships.

The project is also described as entering production in California. Deadline reports that the shoot is planned for the state and that the production will be supported by a California tax credit, tying the film’s timeline and budgeting to the state’s incentives program.

Cohen, known for starring roles including Marty Supreme, is set to carry the film’s lead role as it moves toward production. Deadline’s report does not specify additional casting, a release date, or production timelines beyond the stated plan to shoot in California, and the production team has not been fully detailed in the available announcement.

Dietz is the film’s director and is credited with writing the screenplay, with Deadline characterizing the project as being developed from his own script. Beyond the film’s central premise, the report does not provide additional plot points, character breakdowns, or a detailed creative team roster such as producers or cinematography partners.

In the same coverage, Deadline positions Thick as both a genre entry and a debut feature for Dietz, placing emphasis on the film’s dark-comedy approach to contemporary social expectations. The report’s description suggests the story will lean into satire and discomfort rather than a conventional romantic or inspirational arc.

The reported California production plan and tax-credit support indicate the project is expected to follow the state’s incentive compliance processes, typically involving documentation tied to spend, staffing, and eligibility. However, Deadline’s announcement does not name the specific incentive program, quantify the credit amount, or outline any conditions for eligibility.

No further distribution plan or festival strategy is included in the announcement, and Deadline does not detail rights acquisition, streaming placement, or theatrical arrangements. As the film heads toward principal photography, additional casting and production confirmations would typically be expected through follow-up industry announcements.