The Milton Hershey Biopic Just Finished Filming in PA
This major motion picture is set to be released in 2026. The Milton Hershey biopic tells the story of the candymaker from 1870 to 1910 as he built his chocolate empire.
Excitement at Annville Inn as Milton Hershey Biopic Wraps Up
The Milton Hershey biopic, “Hershey,” which just wrapped up filming in Pennsylvania in June, has us particularly excited here at Annville Inn. The movie features Pennsylvania prominently as well as the town of Hershey. The film in addition shows what is known today as the “The Hershey Company”, and of course, Milton Hershey himself.
Our interest in the movie stems from Innkeeper Rosalie George’s husband, Craig, who was Director of Hershey Gardens for many years when we first came to town over 20 years ago.
Hershey Gardens is one of the “Hershey entities,” various enterprises launched or tied to Milton Hershey’s legacy. We are both students of Milton Hershey’s legacy, and Craig has spoken many times to various clubs and organizations in Pennsylvania about Milton and Katherine Hershey.
Photo Credit for all photos: James A. Mahathey
Director Mark Waters pictured in front of one of the sets for the upcoming biopic about Milton Hershey.
Guests Who Love Hershey
Guests of Annville Inn love spending time at Hershey Gardens, The Hershey Story Museum, and other Hershey entities. Of course, Hersheypark is one of the biggest draws for Guests’ attention! All the so called “Hershey entities” stem from the passion of Milton Hershey, who said, “The more beautiful you can make the place look, the better life the people will have.”
Directed by Mark Waters (“Mean Girls”), the Milton Hershey Biopic tells the story of how Hershey built his famous candy brand. Hershey, spanning from his teenage years in the 1870s to the late 1910s slowly created the well known brand. Shooting took place over seven weeks at 17 locations across the state, including Pittsburgh, Hershey, Harmony, Smithfield and Ligonier.
Milton Hershey, the protagonist deals with early setbacks before building one of the world’s most recognizable brands and as well as contributing to education and his community. When describing Milton Hershey’s determination, we often compare him to Walt Disney. Both men overcame multiple failed attempts before he “made it big.”
The same applies to Milton Hershey, as documented in the extensively researched book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Michael D’Antonio, also titled,”Hershey.” The book is a fascinating story of the unique American visionary, (Milton S. Hershey.) As far as we know, the movie is not an extension of nor is it based upon Mr. D’Antiono’s book.
The Milton Hershey Biopic’s cast: Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario, Alan Ruck, Richard Kind, David Costabile, Heléne Yorke, Michael Moreland Milligan, Francesca Faridany, Daniel David Stewart and Dina Spybey-Waters. Wittrock stars as Hershey, while Daddario plays his wife, Catherine “Kitty” Hershey.
“As we wrap, I feel most grateful to the people of Pennsylvania, who have supported us and actively participated in making this shoot a success,” says Waters. “I feel immense pride in what we’ve been able to do here, particularly in the fully committed performances of Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario, who have given their hearts and souls to portray two figures whose legacy still resonates today.”
Centered around the love story of Hershey, played by Finn Wittrock (“American Horror Story”), and his wife, Kitty, played by Alexandra Daddario (“The White Lotus”). It also includes the couple’s philanthropic work building the Milton Hershey School, a tuition-free academy for low-income students.
He believed in sharing the “fruits of success,” which led to the creation of the Milton Hershey School. The school’s goal was to provide a better chance at leading “successful and happy lives” for orphaned boys. Today, its endowment is the largest of any education institution in the world!
The Milton Hershey Biopic’s cast also includes Yardley native Richard Kind (“Only Murders in the Building”) as Hershey’s first employer. Also a part of the cast is Joseph Royer, and Alan Ruck (“Succession”) as Hershey’s father. David Costabile (“Breaking Bad”) plays fictional rival candy maker Tobias Thornhill, and Heléne Yorke (“The Other Two”) takes on the role of Kitty’s best friend, Margaret.
Milton S. Hershey had a limited formal education, completing only the fourth grade. Frequent family moves interrupted his schooling. Despite this, he became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.
To bring the story to life, creators said the movie features:
- 74 sets reflective of the time period
- Thousands of pieces of chocolate.
- Nearly 2,300 period costumes, including 2,000 for the 1,500 background actors who were primarily from Pennsylvania.
- We are unaware of the film’s production budget.
The Hershey Biopic’s historic range is from the 1870s and the late 1910’s, spanning nearly five decades in the life of Milton S. Hershey.
Photo credit: James A. Mahathey
On the set, from the left: Director Mark Waters (left) in discussion with Alexandra Daddario who plays Kitty Hershey and her friend, “Margaret” played by Heléne Yorke.
More information for movie buffs:
- UTA Independent Film Group is representing worldwide rights as the film seeks distribution.
- Waters is represented by UTA. Wittrock is repped by CAA, Mosaic, Weissenbach Management and Schreck Rose.
- Waters (Mean Girls) directs Hershey from a script by Sharon Paul and Timothy Michael Hayes.
- Paul, Mark Tilghman, Mary Aloe, Joshua Harris and Will Hardy produce the film.
- Hershey hails from Dandelion Media in collaboration with the Hershey Entities and in association with Aloe Entertainment, Peachtree Group and RCM3.
- Hershey filmed across 17 locations in Pennsylvania and used thousands of pieces of chocolate throughout the shoot. Set between the early 1870s and late 1910s, the film spans nearly five decades in Milton S. Hershey’s life.