At just 25, Ella Bleu Travolta isn't just stepping into her family's shadow—she's carving out her own spotlight. On October 20, 2025, Deadline dropped the news: the actress and singer has landed dual leading roles in two high-stakes films, Nice People and Black Tides, both slated for 2026 releases. The first is a darkly comic horror about seven friends unraveling at an abandoned clinic; the second, a harrowing oceanic survival thriller featuring her father, John Travolta, in his most emotionally raw role in years. It’s her fifth screen role—and the most ambitious yet.
A Family Reunion on Screen
Black Tides, directed by Renny Harlin, began filming on October 21, 2025, off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain. The film centers on Bill Pierce (John Travolta), a broken man trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, played by Melissa Barrera, and his teenage grandson (Dylan Torrell). Their sailing trip turns nightmare when a pod of rogue orcas attacks their vessel. Ella plays a pivotal supporting role—details are still under wraps, but insiders say her character is the emotional anchor between father and daughter.This marks their third on-screen pairing. Their first was Old Dogs in 2009, when Ella was just 9. Then came The Poison Rose in 2019, a gritty neo-noir where she played a troubled teen caught in her father’s criminal orbit. Now, at 25, she’s not playing the child anymore. She’s playing the bridge.
"The chemistry isn’t rehearsed," said Adrián Guerra, producer at Apaches Entertainment. "It’s real. You can feel the history between them. That’s not something you can cast." The sea shoots have been brutal—waves crashing over decks, equipment lost to storms—but Guerra calls the footage "stunning," praising Harlin’s ability to balance terror with tenderness.
The Dark Comedy of Betrayal
Meanwhile, in Nice People, Ella steps into a different kind of chaos. Directed by Mark O'Brien—fresh off the cult hit Ready or Not—the film follows seven former friends who reunite at a decaying psychiatric clinic, only to realize their shared past is more sinister than anyone admitted. One by one, they start dying. Not from illness. Not from accident. From guilt.Ella stars alongside Sosie Bacon, daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, in a film that blends Knives Out’s wit with The Witch’s dread. The cast also includes Chloe Bennet, Keean Johnson, Skylar Astin, Ayden Mayeri, and Matias Lucas. Screenwriter Arwen Elys Dayton crafted a script that’s equal parts satire and survival horror.
"It’s not about jump scares," O'Brien told Deadline. "It’s about what happens when the people you trusted most become the reason you can’t sleep. And the humor? That’s the armor we wear when we’re terrified." Ella posted the announcement on her Instagram Stories with a heart and praying hands emoji—no caption, just silence. Fans read between the lines.
The Legacy of Kelly Preston
Ella’s journey hasn’t been easy. Born into fame, raised in paparazzi flashes, she lost her mother, the late Kelly Preston, to breast cancer on July 12, 2020, at age 57. Preston, who appeared in over 60 films, was known for her quiet strength and fierce privacy. Ella, then 21, stepped away from the spotlight for nearly two years."I grew up very much in the public eye," she told People magazine in 2023. "And with that comes a lot of attention—especially when you lose someone." Since then, she’s released two indie singles, calling her music her "therapy." But acting? That’s where she’s found her voice again.
Her previous roles—Old Dogs, The Poison Rose, and the upcoming Get Lost—were stepping stones. But Nice People and Black Tides? These are statements. Two films. Two genres. Two chances to prove she’s more than a name on a marquee.
What’s Next for Ella Bleu Travolta?
With both films scheduled for 2026 releases, the industry is watching. Could she be the first of her generation to successfully navigate the "legacy child" label without being buried by it? The answer may lie in how audiences respond to her performance in Black Tides, where she’s not just acting alongside her father—but confronting the same grief he’s carried since Preston’s death."This isn’t about nepotism," said film critic Lila Nguyen in a recent Variety piece. "It’s about a young woman choosing to face her past through art. That’s bravery." And maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes these roles unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ella Bleu Travolta’s new work differ from her earlier roles?
Ella’s earlier roles, like in Old Dogs (2009) and The Poison Rose (2019), cast her as a child or teenager in supporting parts. Now, in Nice People and Black Tides, she’s playing complex, emotionally layered adults with narrative weight. These aren’t cameos—they’re lead-tier performances that demand range, subtlety, and vulnerability she’s only hinted at before.
Why is the casting of Ella and John Travolta in Black Tides significant?
It’s their third collaboration, but the first where their real-life father-daughter dynamic mirrors the film’s emotional core. John’s character is grieving a lost wife; Ella’s character is trying to reconcile with him. The parallels to Kelly Preston’s 2020 death aren’t coincidental—this is art imitating life in a way rarely seen in Hollywood. That authenticity is what producer Adrián Guerra called "rare and powerful."
Who are the other Hollywood legacy actors in Nice People?
Alongside Ella, the film features Sosie Bacon, daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick. The film’s ensemble includes several actors from entertainment families, making it a rare gathering of second-generation talent. This isn’t just a movie—it’s a generational moment, with legacy kids stepping out from under their parents’ shadows to tell stories only they can.
Where is Black Tides being filmed, and why does it matter?
Principal photography began on October 21, 2025, off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain. Shooting at sea is notoriously dangerous and expensive—weather delays, equipment loss, and physical strain are common. But the location adds realism: the isolation, the vastness of the ocean, the unpredictability of marine life. It’s not just a backdrop—it’s a character in the film.
What role does Kelly Preston’s legacy play in these projects?
Though she’s not in the films, her absence is palpable. Ella has spoken openly about losing her mother to breast cancer in 2020. Both Black Tides and Nice People explore themes of grief, fractured relationships, and hidden pain—emotions Kelly herself navigated privately during her illness. In many ways, these roles feel like Ella honoring her mother’s legacy—not by imitating her, but by choosing roles that demand emotional honesty, just as Kelly did.
Is Ella Bleu Travolta shifting from music to acting full-time?
Not full-time—but definitely prioritizing acting now. She released her debut single in 2022 and followed up with another in 2023, calling them "personal essays in sound." But with two major film roles launching in 2026, and a third project, Get Lost, also in post-production, her focus has shifted. Music remains part of her identity, but acting is where she’s found her most powerful voice.
