Jeremy Sumpter, the actor known for his role in Peter Pan, is making a return to the acting scene after 22 years.
Though he rose to fame as Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, Jeremy Sumpter has matured significantly since his iconic role, now at the age of 36.
Much has transpired over the years since Sumpter took on the role at the age of 13, acting alongside Jason Isaacs, who played both Captain Hook and George Darling in the film.
Post his breakthrough role, Sumpter appeared in several other films, and in 2022 he married Elizabeth Treadway. The couple welcomed their daughter in April of the following year.
In an interview with Page Six, Sumpter shared his intentions to return to acting after taking a significant break. Despite the time away, he mentions that he still gets recognized from his 2003 portrayal of Peter Pan.
“It happens every day,” he remarked, adding, “The movie never really grows up, does it? To be part of that movie, it’s been a blessing.”
Reflecting on his life since the film, Sumpter explained, “I had a daughter, so my life was around her. Now it’s time for me to buckle down and go full force into my dreams, continue the career that I’ve had and turn it into something that’s going from a child actor to now being a leading man and director.”
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After prioritizing fatherhood for some time, Sumpter is now planning a return to acting. He has secured roles in upcoming projects like Miami Nights, where he will star alongside Terrence Howard, Sydelle Noel, and Jeremy Piven, and Alterity, featuring Mina Sundwall. He will also appear in a new romantic comedy, Strawberry Roan.
In addition to acting, Sumpter is set to make his directorial debut.
“I’ve been wanting to direct my whole entire life,” he expressed. “When I was younger, the son of the director of Peter Pan and I would make short films.”
He believes his on-set experience will be beneficial for his directing pursuit, noting, “Living life on set has taught me a lot of things … I really know exactly how everything works and what it entails to make a movie.”
“I’ve been told by a lot of people that I would be a great director. I just never had the opportunity to,” Sumpter added.
Interestingly, one of his co-stars from Peter Pan, Rachel Hurd-Wood, who played Wendy Darling, might join him for his directorial debut. He mentioned their enduring friendship and said, “I told Rachel, ‘It’s my first time directing, and I would not have it any other way than to have you as my leading lady for my directorial debut.”