Major Motion Picture To Spotlight Iconic PA Comany Founder

PITTSBURGH, PA — Hollywood is about to turn the spotlight on Hershey.

"Hershey," a major motion picture chronicling chocolate pioneer Milton Hershey and his wife Catherine "Kitty" Hershey, is set to begin production in May, according to the Hershey company. The movie, a collaboration between Hershey and Dandelion Media, will star Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario and is slated for release in 2026.

"Milton Hershey's story exemplifies the American Dream," Michele Buck, Hershey Company president and CEO Michele Buck said in a statement.

"This movie will reveal how Milton and Kitty built something far greater than a chocolate company. Their legacy extends beyond sweet treats to education, community, and opportunity for thousands. We're proud to support a film that shares the full Hershey story—one of resilience, vision and impact that continues to inspire today."

Principal photography will occur across Pennsylvania. A post on the Pittsburgh Film Office Facebook page stated that "the story of one of the most famous chocolate companies in the world is setting up production in the Pittsburgh region." The post did not detail when filming would occur in Pittsburgh.

The movie will be directed by Mark Waters, whose previous films have included "Mean Girls," "Spiderwick Chronicles" and "Mr. Popper's Penguins."

"Against all odds, Milton achieved great success, but unlike a lot of other wealthy men of his time, he shared his success with the working people and community around him," Waters said. "The core of 'Hershey' the movie, will be the special love story between Milton and Catherine Hershey, who inspired his greatest legacy - the creation of Milton Hershey School."

The Milton Hershey School is a private school where where qualifying students in pre-K through 12th grade live on campus and receive their educational experience—with all costs covered. Milton and Catherine Hershey founded the school in 1909 with money they earned from the chocolate company.

Hershey's legacy extends beyond the chocolate products which are famous worldwide. In Hershey, PA, five entities bear his name: The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, The M.S. Hershey Foundation and Hershey Trust Company.