Hollywood just got its newest lawyer — and it’s none other than Tracker star Justin Hartley.
In a surprise announcement that has already set social media ablaze, Hartley confirmed he will star in an upcoming legal drama film, marking one of the boldest shifts in his career to date. The actor, best known for his rugged, action-heavy role as Colter Shaw in CBS’s Tracker, is trading in his survival gear for a suit and tie — stepping into the courtroom as a high-powered attorney caught in a web of justice, secrets, and moral conflict.
The yet-untitled project, described by insiders as “a gripping mix of A Few Good Men meets The Lincoln Lawyer,” will see Hartley portraying Ethan Rhodes, a brilliant but controversial defense attorney known for taking impossible cases — and winning them through unconventional means. According to early reports, the story revolves around Rhodes’s battle to defend a client accused of a political assassination while confronting his own dark past as a former federal prosecutor.
Hartley himself confirmed the news in a statement on his Instagram account late Tuesday night, writing:
“It’s something completely different from what I’ve done before — intelligent, sharp, emotional, and morally challenging. I can’t wait for everyone to see this story come to life.”
Within minutes, the post exploded online, with fans flooding the comments section. “Justin as a lawyer? YES PLEASE,” one fan wrote, while another commented, “First he tracks criminals, now he defends them — this man’s range is insane.”
Industry insiders say the film could mark a major turning point in Hartley’s career, propelling him beyond television stardom into full-fledged movie-leading-man territory. “He’s been steadily building to this moment,” said one Hollywood analyst. “Hartley’s proven he can carry drama, action, and emotion — this role gives him the prestige edge.”
The film is being developed by Paramount Pictures, with production scheduled to begin early next year in Los Angeles. The screenplay comes from Oscar-nominated writer Scott Z. Burns (The Report, Contagion), and early reports indicate that the tone will be “taut, cerebral, and emotionally charged.” Sources also confirm that the studio envisions the movie as the start of a potential legal-thriller franchise if the first installment performs well.
Hartley will also serve as an executive producer, continuing his pattern of taking creative control over his projects — a role he first embraced during Tracker. “He’s not just acting anymore,” one insider noted. “He’s shaping narratives, choosing stories that speak to his growth and depth as a performer.”
While the film will be his first major feature since The Exchange, Hartley’s transition to a legal role feels like a natural evolution. Throughout This Is Us and Tracker, he’s showcased a balance of emotional intelligence and quiet strength — qualities that fit perfectly within the moral gray zones of a courtroom drama.
Critics and fans alike are already speculating whether this could be the role that lands Hartley his first major award nomination. “He’s finally stepping into that prestige zone,” wrote one entertainment journalist. “From the family man to the survivalist to the courtroom strategist — Justin Hartley is becoming the actor Hollywood didn’t see coming.”
CBS executives, meanwhile, have reportedly expressed full support for Hartley’s new project, ensuring it won’t interfere with his commitments to Tracker Season 3 or its spinoff development. “Justin’s schedule is tight, but he’s unstoppable,” said a source close to production. “He’s balancing TV, film, and production — and somehow making it all look effortless.”
Though plot specifics remain under wraps, early leaks describe the film’s tone as “morally thrilling with an emotional gut punch.” The story is expected to explore themes of truth, corruption, and redemption — familiar territory for Hartley, but told through an entirely new lens.
Fans have already begun speculating about the cast, with rumors swirling that the production is courting Jessica Chastain for the role of the prosecutor opposite Hartley’s character. If true, the pairing would mark one of the most anticipated on-screen duos of the coming year.
Film critics are already predicting that Hartley’s turn as a sharp-tongued, morally conflicted lawyer could redefine his image once again — from the emotional family man of This Is Us and the rugged hero of Tracker to a cerebral, commanding figure in prestige cinema.
As one fan put it best on X (formerly Twitter):
“Justin Hartley just went from tracking fugitives to tracking justice — and we’re here for every second of it.”
With the official casting now confirmed and pre-production quietly underway, the buzz surrounding the project is electric. If all goes according to plan, the film will begin shooting in spring 2026, with a theatrical release expected later that year.
For Justin Hartley, this might not just be another role. It could be the role — the one that cements his transition from network star to Hollywood powerhouse.
And if his track record is any indication, he’s about to win more than just the case.
