Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael B. Jordan in Talks to Star in ‘Triple Nine’ (Exclusive)
John Hillcoat’s crime drama is also expected to co-star Christoph Waltz and Cate Blanchett
John Hillcoat’s “Triple Nine” is lining up an all-star cast of this year’s award contenders, with Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael B. Jordan in talks to star alongside Christoph Waltz and Cate Blanchett, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.
Affleck is nearing a deal to replace Charlie Hunnam as the lead in the Megan Ellison-financed crime thriller, which is being produced by Anonymous Content.
Story follows a group of thieves who plan to kill a young LAPD cop to divert the police away from a daring heist they’re perpetrating across town.
The title “Triple Nine” refers to police code indicating that an officer needs immediate assistance.
Affleck will play the targeted officer, while Ejiofor is engaging on an offer to play a career criminal who masterminds the heist. Jordan is in talks to play a street-wise cop in Ejiofor’s gang who partners with Affleck and plans to set him up.
Anonymous Content’s Keith Redmon, Bard Dorros and Steve Golin are producing the movie, which Ellison is financing through her Panorama Media banner. Hillcoat (“The Road”is directing from a script by Matt Cook.
The long-gestating project, which Hillcoat’s “Lawless” star Shia LaBeouf was once attached to, is expected to start production next year.
It has been an exciting week for Ejiofor, who received Golden Globe and SAG nominations for his devastating performance in “12 Years a Slave.”
Affleck is in the awards conversation thanks to his supporting performance as Christian Bale’s younger brother in “Out of the Furnace.”
Jordan was unfairly overlooked by Golden Globes voters, as his harrowing performance in “Fruitvale Station” has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
