John Travolta and his daughter, Ella, are testing the boundaries of their relationship within the upcoming film, Black Tides.
Deadline reported on Monday, October 20, that Travolta, 71, will star in Black Tides alongside Melissa Barrera. Ella, 25, could have a key role within the thriller alongside Álvaro Mel and Dylan Torrell. Details about Ella’s character have yet to be announced.
Based on the outlet, Black Tides will follow an estranged father (Travolta) attempting to reconnect together with his daughter (Barrera) and grandson (Torrell) during a sailing adventure off the Spanish coast. Nonetheless, disaster strikes when their boat is attacked by a pod of rogue orcas. The battle with the killer whales will result in a fight for survival for the ship’s crew within the open waters.
Filming for Black Tides has begun with principal photography in Gran Canaria, Spain.
“Shooting at sea is one in all the toughest things you possibly can do in film however the footage we’re getting is stunning,” producer Adrián Guerra said to Deadline. “The solid has bonded in a way that’s rare and powerful, and Renny’s directing chops are on full display — balancing raw spectacle with real human emotion.”
Black Tides shall be Ella’s fifth on-screen role. She previously appeared in 2009’s Old Dogs and 2019’s The Poison Rose alongside her father. Ella has also had roles within the movies Get Lost, and Nice People, that are currently awaiting release.
Ella is the daughter of Travolta and late wife Kelly Preston. The couple also shared sons Benjamin, 14 and Jett. (Jett died in 2009 at age 16 after suffering a seizure while he and his family were visiting the Bahamas.)
Preston died in 2020 following a personal battle with breast cancer. She was 57 years old.
“She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” Travolta wrote via Instagram while announcing Preston’s passing. “Forgive me prematurely in case you don’t hear from us for some time. But please know that I’ll feel your outpouring of affection within the weeks and months ahead as we heal.”
Earlier this 12 months, Ella penned a touching tribute in honor of her mom on Mother’s Day, five years after her death.
“Joyful Mother’s Day to the strongest, most beautiful, loving, funny, smart woman I do know,” Ella wrote via her Instagram Story alongside throwback photos of Preston holding her when she was a baby. “I really like you.”
Over time, Ella has been candid about being inspired by her parents’ profession path and her dreams to follow of their creative footsteps. In a 2023 interview with People, Ella gushed about how much she’s loved working together with her dad on various projects/
“I at all times jump at the chance to do something with my dad and we at all times have essentially the most fun doing something together,” she reflected. “So, hopefully we’ll do something soon again. Possibly one other project or movie. I’m at all times up for that.”
Along with acting, Ella has dabbled in music, as she has released multiple albums.
“Ever since I used to be little, I’ve really loved singing and performing — whether it was acting, dancing, singing,” Ella told People, adding that her dad was “really proud” of her musical endeavors.