‘Friends’ Star Courteney Cox Reveals Why She Refused to Give up on Her New Film After a Lockdown and Two Strikes

Her dark comedy thriller, inspired by the notorious 2003 "pizza bomber" case, boasts a star-studded ensemble and a small role for her daughter, Coco. The film recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Courteney Cox knows a thing or two about commitment, and her newest film proved it. The longtime actress recently looked back on her past projects and discussed her current endeavors after decades in the industry.

In a conversation with People, Cox revealed that she doesn't shy away from long-term commitments. "I mean, I've done seven Screams," she said, referring to the horror film franchise in which she plays journalist Gale Weathers.

"I did 10 years of 'Friends.' Six years of 'Cougar Town.' I'm very into things that last a long time. If I like something, I want it to last," she explained. The star also noted that bringing her new film, "Evil Genius," to life was far from easy.

The dark comedy thriller, starring Patricia Arquette and David Harbour, spent eight years in the making. "It was really hard to get off the ground," she said. "There was a lockdown, two different strikes. I've been working on it for eight years through all of that. And I just could not let it go."

"I had to make this," she continued. "I was not gonna let it go. And I fought and fought and fought through all these obstacles."

Despite the hurdles, Cox said she had a "great experience" directing the project, which was penned by Courtenay Miles and based on the infamous 2003 "pizza bomber" case.

"I had amazing actors," she said. "I mean, I don't wanna say amazing 50 times, but I have the most talented actors. Patricia Arquette, David Harbour… the best ensemble cast you can imagine. I had a really great DP. I had a truly great editor… It worked out beautifully."

Cox's 22-year-old daughter, Coco, whom she shares with ex-husband David Arquette, also appears in a small role in the film, and the actress hopes to direct her again someday. "Coco is a small part in 'Evil Genius,' but she's a really good actor," the proud mom said.

"She takes it very seriously. She studied at the William Esper Studio. I can't wait to actually direct her when I get to spend a lot of time [with it]," she added, describing her time behind the camera as "incredible."

"Evil Genius" premiered on September 12 at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Back in November 2025, Harbour, who portrays the late Brian Douglas Wells in the film, was spotted on the set of the true-crime thriller.

The "Stranger Things" alum looked practically unrecognizable during the New Jersey shoot. Sporting graying hair and a fluffy gray beard, he wore a blue short-sleeved button-down and denim overalls over what appeared to be a padded suit.

Wells was a real-life pizza deliveryman who died in 2003 after robbing a bank near his Erie, Pennsylvania, hometown. "Evil Genius" explores his infamous "pizza bomber" case, in which an FBI investigation uncovered an elaborate robbery and murder scheme.

Before his death, Wells famously maintained his innocence, claiming he had been forced to walk into the bank and demand $250,000 in cash.

A four-part documentary titled "Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist" was released on Netflix in 2018. According to Deadline, the new narrative film draws inspiration from that series.