Ryan M. Luevano to Adapt “Day of a Lion” for the Stage

Award-winning playwright Ryan M. Luevano will adapt the independent film Day of a Lion for the stage. Developmental readings of the initial draft are scheduled for spring 2026 in Los Angeles, with producers anticipating the completed script.

Written and directed by Bianca and Dilara Foscht, Day of a Lion was released in North America via Gravitas Ventures in August 2025. The film explores themes of identity and familial bonds and has been praised for its visual style, influenced by German expressionism and European cinema. It received the Best Foreign Feature Film award at the Wales International Film Festival. Day of a Lion also secured seven awards at the Idyllwild International Cinema Fest, including Best International Feature Film and acting awards for Bianca Foscht, Dilara Foscht and Simone Neviani.

Expanding the Narrative for the Stage

Luevano expressed his enthusiasm for adapting the “rich layers” of the psychodrama for the stage. He plans to expand the backstories of the sisters, Wanda and Dolly, and to “blur the lines between fantasy and reality.” A new character will also be introduced, and key moments from the film will be expanded upon to enhance the sibling tension.

Bianca and Dilara Foscht will have the first opportunity to reprise their roles from the film in the stage adaptation, ensuring continuity between the two versions of the story.

Day of a Lion is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.