The trailer for John Carney's new production has debuted online, featuring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas as musicians embroiled in a brutal dispute over songwriting credits.

Conflict Over Hit Song Authorship

The plot focuses on a dispute between a wedding singer and a boyband star over the rights to a song that becomes a massive hit.

Star-Studded Cast

The lead roles are played by Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, with direction by John Carney, the creator of the Oscar-winning film "Once".

Release Date and Festivals

The film will be presented at the SXSW festival in March 2026, and its theatrical premiere is scheduled for June 5.

The first trailer for the film Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, has debuted online. The production, a blend of comedy and musical drama, tells the story of Rick, played by Paul Rudd, a wedding singer whose glory days are long behind him. He crosses paths with Danny, played by Nick Jonas, a fading boyband star desperately seeking a way back to the top of the charts. The plot centers on a violent dispute over the authorship of a song that unexpectedly becomes a massive hit, giving Danny a chance to revive his career. The film explores the limits of ambition and the issue of creative ownership in the music industry.

The film is directed and co-written by John Carney, the creator of acclaimed musical productions who gained worldwide fame with titles such as Once and Sing Street. The Power Ballad cast also includes Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor. Distribution is handled by Lionsgate, which acquired the rights to the film after its enthusiastic reception at industry screenings. Carney once again draws on musical themes that have become a hallmark of his work, emphasizing emotional authenticity and the songwriting process. Irish director John Carney gained international recognition in 2007 with the low-budget film Once, which won an Oscar for Best Original Song. His later works, such as Begin Again and Sing Street, solidified his position as a specialist in musical cinema, where the soundtrack is an integral part of the narrative. The director often involves professional musicians in his projects, which translates into the realism of scenes related to the creation of art.

The world premiere of Power Ballad took place at the Dublin International Film Festival, where the production was presented as the closing film. The next major promotional event will be a screening at the prestigious SXSW festival in March 2026. The general public will be able to see the film in theaters from June 5, 2026. The production is generating significant interest from critics due to the unusual acting pairing of Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and the director's proven track record in the musical genre. Power Ballad Promotion and Release Schedule: January 21, 2026 — Dublin Premiere Announcement; March 11, 2026 — Trailer Premiere; March 2026 — SXSW Screening; June 5, 2026 — Theatrical Release

Mentioned People

  • Nick Jonas — American singer, songwriter, and actor; member of the Jonas Brothers.
  • Paul Rudd — American film and stage actor, known for roles in Marvel productions, among others.
  • John Carney — Irish film director, producer, screenwriter, composer, and musician specializing in musical films.
  • Peter McDonald — Co-writer of the film and an actor appearing in the production.
  • Marcella Plunkett — Actress appearing in the cast of the film Power Ballad.
  • Havana Rose Liu — Actress appearing in the film Power Ballad.
  • Jack Reynor — Actor belonging to the cast of the film Power Ballad.