Haley and his co-writer, Marc Basch, wrote The Hero specifically for Sam Elliott, who starred alongside Blythe Danner in I'll See You In My Dreams. Haley describes The Hero as his love letter to Elliott, saying that "Sam is the best. He is a true collaborator and an incredible actor and human being. He is so passionate about his work and, in my mind, he is an icon." The Hero also stars Laura Prepon, Nick Offerman, Katharine Ross and Krysten Ritter, and premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. It was released in the U.S. by The Orchard in June 2017.