In 2015 , he co-wrote , edited , and directed '' I 'll See You in My Dreams '' . Marc Basch was his co-writer . It premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival , and went on to win awards for Best Actress and Best Director at the Louisiana Film Festival . Additionally , Blythe Danner was nominated for the Best Actress Award at the Gotham Awards for her role . In an interview , Sam Elliott says he " jumped at the chance to play a romantic lead " ; " it 's always been what 's on the page for me , " says Elliott . " I do n't know how this kid came up with such a gem about 70-year-olds at 29 , or whatever he was when he wrote it . " Haley and his co-writer , Marc Basch , wrote '' The Hero '' specifically for Sam Elliott , who starred alongside Blythe Danner in '' I 'll See You in My Dreams '' . Haley describes '' The Hero '' as his love letter to Elliott , saying that " Sam is the best . He is a true collaborator and an incredible actor and human being . He is so passionate about his work and , in my mind , he is an icon . " '' The Hero '' also stars Laura Prepon , Nick Offerman , Katharine Ross and Krysten Ritter , and premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival . It was released in the U.S. by The Orchard in June 2017
2017 Sundance Film Festival
2017 Sundance Film Festival
Brett Haley