Dakota and Elle Fanning Embrace Differences as Sisters and Prepare for First Film Together

For years, Dakota and Elle Fanning have been walking the same Hollywood hallway without ever truly sharing the spotlight. Now, that awkward almost-moment is finally turning into something real, because the sisters are set to star together for the first time in The Nightingale.

The film, adapted from Kristin Hannah’s 2015 bestselling novel, drops Feb. 12, 2027, from TriStar Pictures, and it puts Dakota and Elle in the middle of France during World War II. The Nazi occupation is the backdrop, but the tension is personal too, since their story is built on two sisters who have to survive together, even when their paths have stayed separate for more than two decades.

And if you think it sounds simple, remember they’ve literally never filmed a scene together until now.

Their paths, which remained separate for more than two decades, are now coming together in The Nightingale, an adaptation of Kristin Hannah's bestselling 2015 novel.

The film, set for release on Feb. 12, 2027, from TriStar Pictures, follows two sisters in France during World War II as they cope with the Nazi occupation. Both Dakota and Elle are starring in and producing the movie—a project they have been attached to since 2019.

“We have played the same character at different ages, but have never spoken to each other in front of a camera. For years, we have looked for a film to do with one another, and then this gem appeared,” the sisters told The Hollywood Reporter at the time of the initial announcement.

The weird part is Dakota has said they’ve “literally never done a scene together, ever,” even though they’ve both been famous forever.

Sibling dynamics in the entertainment industry can be complex.

Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning

Inez and Vindoodh / Vanity Fair

Once The Nightingale came along in 2019, it wasn’t just another job for Dakota and Elle, it was the rare chance to finally make their sibling dynamic visible on camera.

For Dakota, the project marks a long-awaited opportunity to finally share the screen with Elle in a meaningful way. “We’ve literally never done a scene together, ever,” she told Vanity Fair. Elle chimed in with a laugh, “Am I going to laugh? Better to get it out of your system now.”

Looking back on their childhood, Elle said the sisters were mindful of creating space for each other as they grew in the industry.

“When we were younger, we wanted to make sure that people saw us differently, and we wanted to give each other space to carve our own paths,” she explained. “But as adults, it’s been very fulfilling to merge.”

It’s giving the same chaotic energy as Jessie Cave wanting her daughter to get pregnant at 16.

Beyond their upcoming collaboration, both sisters remain busy with their own careers. Dakota recently appeared in the 2025 thriller Vicious, as well as The Watchers and the Netflix adaptations The Perfect Couple and Ripley in 2024.

Elle is fresh off the success of Sentimental Value, a drama gaining awards season buzz ahead of its November 7 theatrical release. She has also been announced as the new lead in the next Hunger Games prequel, taking over a role connected to Elizabeth Banks' Effie Trinket.

Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning on Jan. 5, 2025.

Eric Charbonneau/UTA

While they gear up for France under Nazi occupation, Dakota is also bouncing between projects like Vicious and Ripley, and Elle is riding the awards buzz from Sentimental Value.

As their careers continue to evolve, Dakota and Elle are proving that sibling success doesn’t have to mean sibling rivalry. With The Nightingale on the horizon, their shared project may not only mark a new chapter in their professional journeys but also highlight the enduring strength of their relationship.

For Dakota, the formula is simple: respect the differences, celebrate individuality, and support each other’s success. And as Elle put it best, the secret is embracing their bond without competition—an approach that has kept them close from the start.

So yeah, between Elle taking the lead in the next Hunger Games prequel and Dakota producing alongside her sister, this first on-screen “together” moment is loaded.

In the realm of sibling actors, public perception often plays a critical role.

The journey of Dakota and Elle Fanning exemplifies the delicate interplay between personal ambition and familial support within the competitive landscape of Hollywood. Their unique bond stands out against the backdrop of sibling rivalry that often plagues families in the industry. As they prepare to star in their first film together, the sisters' ability to celebrate their individuality while nurturing their relationship will be essential. The strong foundation of open communication they have established will help them navigate the intense pressures of fame, ensuring that their connection remains intact. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that achieving success in Hollywood does not have to come at the cost of personal relationships.

By the time Feb. 12, 2027 rolls around, the sisters will finally get the one thing they’ve been missing, a shared scene.

Before you judge “nepo babies,” read what Kate Winslet said about critics calling her kids that.