Jeremy Sumpter, now 37, may have outgrown Neverland, but he remains grateful for what Peter Pan has done for him and for his fans.
Since his breakout role as Peter in 2003, Jeremy has continued showcasing his talents with bolder, more creatively ambitious projects such as disaster thriller Into the Storm, the character-driven western Trail of Vengeance and the gritty crime drama Oxy Morons. Now, his latest project is the upcoming action thriller Miami Nights, where he co-stars opposite Oscar nominee Terrence Howard and Black Panther’s Sydelle Noel.
Written by Amanda Konis and Steven Lloyd Bennett, Miami Nights follows two decorated war heroes who are dishonorably discharged after saving a high-profile American journalist overseas. As they attempt to rebuild their lives, they become ensnared in a deadly scheme with local criminals, culminating in a high-stakes plot to steal a priceless diamond. The film is directed by Justin Steele and also features Jeremy Piven, Manu Bennett, Sofia Pernas, John Lewis, Danay Garcia, and Thomas Jane.
The film—which shot on location in Miami—is produced by Darryll C. Scott (Bosco), Natalie Kline (The Fall), and John Lewis (Lullaby) and serves as the flagship release for Drama Free Films, the Los Angeles-based production company founded by Justin Steele, Micah Molinari, and Kline. Serj Tankian, the Grammy-winning frontman of heavy metal band System of a Down, has contributed original music to the film, as has the music group that features in the film’s narrative.
Check out our interview with Jeremy:
You have had a pretty steady acting career for about 25 years now. What is it about acting that keeps you going throughout this long span of time?
Jeremy: I love what I do because of what it gives other people. No matter what people are going through in their lives, it could be something terrible like losing a loved one, or just anything, but people find escape from that for two hours when they watch a movie, or a show. That’s just how people escape. And so for me to give them that escape, that’s why I love to do it. And it’s been that way since I was 10. I treat my fans as the most important thing in my life, because without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love, where I can give them their escape.
And obviously, one of the biggest impacts your career has had on your fans is through Peter Pan.
Jeremy: Of course, that movie has resonated with so many people over the years. It’s just crazy, like 95% of my fans weren’t even born when the movie came out, but the movie still has that effect on people.
Peter was actually my first introduction to you and your career, so I’m right there with them.
Jeremy: Well, a lot of people have actually told me that I was their sexual awakening. That movie has done that kind of thing for people, it allowed them to find out who they are. But no, I’m glad that it’s been able to be that movie that gives so many people so many things in their lives, you know, it’s touched them in so many ways. And like that movie will never grow old. You know, no pun intended, but he’s Peter Pan, he never grows up– but I did grow 11 inches while making the movie.
What? That’s crazy.
Jeremy: Yeah, we filmed for a year in Australia.
Do you still get recognized for Peter Pan, like, when you’re walking down the street?
Jeremy: Oh, yeah, all the time. Even when I have a beard and my hat on and long hair, I still get recognized. Like, I’ll ask them, ‘so, how’d you know it was me?’ ‘Oh, it was like when you smiled, that’s how we knew for sure it was you.’
That’s funny.
Jeremy: And I look at my daughter. I just had a screening for my film, Frailty, for a 25-year release of the movie, and all I could see was my daughter’s face in mine. It was crazy. I was like, ‘oh, my God, it’s Lucy.’
When do you plan to introduce her to your Peter Pan?
Jeremy: Well, I did the last time I was here, a couple of months ago… and that’s all she wants to watch now.
Oh, that’s sweet.
Jeremy: She’s still two and a half years old, but she loves the story, she loves to watch the magic of the film and, you know, the kids flying and stuff. But I’m sure she’ll have different perspectives on it as she gets older and older. I think it’s fun. I’ll be like, ‘hey, you know that’s daddy, right?’ ‘Daddy? You can fly.’ ‘Yep, I can fly.’
Oh, I love that. Has your relationship with Peter always been positive throughout your career?
Jeremy: Yeah, it has in a lot of ways. It was one of the best years of my entire life, filming that movie and everything that happened afterwards is just phenomenal. And, yeah, I really love what the movie’s done for me, but now, I mean, I am trying to get away from that, as, you know, “the guy who played Peter Pan.” I got a big film coming out called Miami Nights with Terrence Howard and Jeremy Piven. It’s going to be an awesome movie, it’s going to be a big, big hit and I’m looking forward to this new stage in my life and my career.
So, you are trying to separate yourself from that part of your life–
Jeremy: Well, no, I’m not really separating myself from that part of my life, because that movie is always going to be part of my life, in that aspect, and it’s going to always create new fans. Like, you know, the people who watched it when it came out theaters years ago, they have their kids now and then it’s like, ‘hey, this was mommy’s first crush, this is mommy’s favorite movie,’ and then the kid watches it, and now it’s their favorite movie. And it’s just gonna keep doing that, and it has over the years. And I’m so grateful for that. That even though I’m 37 years old, everyone still sees the Peter Pan in me and tells me how impactful that movie was for everybody, you know? A lot of people can’t really say that, you know what I mean?
Yeah, that makes sense. So yeah, you mentioned Miami Nights is coming up. I was trying to find a release date, but all I could find was 2026. Do you have any idea of when we can kind of expect to see it?
Jeremy: All I can say right now is that they have a trailer made and it’ll be going out soon. They have made a couple of the big announcements for the film [so far], and will continue to have more and more bits and pieces come out over the next few months into spring. So, I’d imagine it would be an early spring release.
Great, that’s not too far away. So, you probably can’t say a whole lot about it yet, but what can you say about the film and who you play?
Jeremy: Well, my character’s name is Mason Lane. I am ex-military. Something happens and I am honorably discharged from the military, and I come back, and I’m trying to settle into the reality of things in my life, you know, and someone who I loved is no longer my life. So, it’s just him struggling to fit back into the world, and he gets caught up in a diamond heist. He gets a job in security and he’s got an armored truck with this diamond, but he gets caught up with some of the mafia cartel in the city of Miami. Then a lot of his past stuff comes back into life and so, you’ll be seeing a lot of flashbacks from when things were happening in the military. And what happens is, I rescue this journalist, this big, famous journalist, who’s played by Terrence Howard, who is going through the same thing I’m going through and he’s trying to get in touch with me, the guy who saved them.
Okay, cool. So kind of like an action thriller?
Jeremy: That’s right.
So, it sounds like you got to work pretty close with Terrence Howard. What was it like working with him?
Jeremy: Working with Terrence was great. We really got along and we worked well opposite each other, as well as Jeremy Piven and I. And I love Terrence’s philosophy on life. He has his belief that if you come into this world as a male, in your next life, you’ll be coming back as a female, so just watch how you treat women in this life, because that’s how you’ll be treated in your next life.
I love that!
Jeremy: Yeah. He’s just a really, very, very intelligent man, and I loved working with him. And he and I would love to work together again in the future.
I hope you get to do that. I will manifest it for you.
Jeremy: Thank you. I would love that.
So, to help get everyone hyped for Miami Nights, what is something that you just can’t wait for people to see?
Jeremy: I can’t wait for people to see the new action hero, Jeremy Sumpter,
I love it. Can’t wait!
Jeremy: The thing about it is that it’s a fun movie that is going to hit with everybody. This generation of people are going to love it. It’s going to hit every generation. And I think it’s, you know, I just really believe that this movie can be very successful in a lot of ways. And a lot of people are going to love the love story that goes on throughout the film and everything else. So, yeah, it’s gonna be big.
So, you mentioned earlier in our conversation that you’re leaving to film a movie. I know you probably can’t say anything about that yet, but what other projects are you working on? What’s coming up for you?
Jeremy: Well, I can’t say the name of the film, but I’m going down to Jackson, Mississippi to do a big sci-fi thriller, which already has a sequel lined up.
Is there anything else that you want to add about Miami Nights?
Jeremy: Yeah, keep a lookout. As soon as the trailer comes out, I will be posting it. The film is great, I watched it, and the whole cast is phenomenal. The chemistry between me and my leading lady is phenomenal. And everyone did a fantastic job. Everybody did a great job in the movie. It’s well, very well directed by Justin Steele, and it was very well written by his wife, Amanda Konis. And so, yeah, it’s gonna be awesome.
And right now, my life is good. I’m a father to a two and a half year old girl [Lucy Snow], who I love so much. She’s the best thing in my whole life, and I live for her.
Thank you so much for chatting. It’s been a pleasure. I wish you the best and hope to talk to you again soon.
Be on the lookout for the Miami Nights trailer and be sure to follow Jeremy on Instagram.