HERSHEY (2026): Director Mark Waters’ Next Film Set to Chronicle the Lives of the Founders of Hershey’s Chocolates

Hershey Biopic to be Helmed by Mark Waters

Director Mark Waters will be tackling the story of the creators of Hershey’s chocolates in the upcoming biopic titled, Hershey.

Filmmaker Mark Waters has found his new project in the inspirational story of the founders of Hershey’s chocolates. Alexandra Daddario and Finn Wittrock will be portraying Kitty and Milton Hershey who made a major dent in the world of sweets in the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s and so on. This film is positioning itself for a 2026 release and is scheduled to start shooting in May.

Kitty and Milton discovered the Hershey Industrial School which helped the needy and made a major impact on those who were less fortunate. Consider this upcoming film a real life Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It may not be as humorous (or as exaggerated) as that beloved classic, but the truth of the subject matter at hand regarding the Hershey family will surely move audiences in Waters’ capable hands.

Waters is best known for his box-office hit comedies, Mean Girls and Freaky Friday. Waters first made his own dent on the indie film world with 1997’s hilarious but bizarre comedy, The House of Yes. That film starred Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Tori Spelling. It was an independent movie that has garnered an impressive cult following over the years as Posey played an unusual lead character known as “Jackie-O.” It was set on Thanksgiving and followed a freaky story line.

Alexandra Daddario has a diverse resume of very interesting roles. She is most well known for her work on “True Detective” and “The White Lotus.” She also appeared in the film San Andreas from 2015. Finn Wittrock is known for his work on “American Horror Story” and for his role in Unbroken which was directed by Angelina Jolie. Hershey has these two stars poised to receive major acclaim for their work in the upcoming Waters film given the quality of the stars’ previous roles which have been admirable for viewers.

Waters has directed emotional films in the past such as Just Like Heaven, the Reese Witherspoon comedy from 2005 that paired her with Mark Ruffalo. Though mostly humorous, that movie tugged at the heartstrings just as the new Hershey film is expected to do.

While films like Wonka have been about candy makers and their dreams, Hershey looks to be a more emotional journey into the hearts of the founders of the candy brand. People will be excited to see Finn Wittrock in the role of Mitlon S. Hershey who eventually died at the age of 88 of pneumonia. Alexandra Daddario’s Kitty Hershey was an inspirational person for Milton and influenced his fondness for charity. Waters could be positioned to have one of his biggest hits in years with this upcoming project. More news will be revealed on this film as it develops.

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