fter weeks of testing several actresses to star opposite Will Smith in “Focus,” Warner Bros. looks to have found its leading lady as Margot Robbie in talks for the role. No official offer has been given but sources close to the project say she is the choice for the female lead.
Written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who helmed “Crazy, Stupid, Love” for the studio, the
story follows an inexperienced female con artist who teams up with a more seasoned male one. Denise DiNovi will produce.
In recent weeks, the studio had tested several females for the part including Michelle Williams, Jessica Biel and Rose Byrne. Sources say it came down to Robbie and Olivia Munn.
After almost two years of trying to find the right actors, Warners may be able to finally breathe easy now that the film is moving toward production. The original idea was to have Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone reteam with their “Crazy Stupid Love” directors, but scheduling could never be worked out.
The studio pursued such top talent as Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck for the male lead and
Kristen Stewart for the female lead. When Smith eventually attached himself, the studio meet with several actresses to see who worked best with Smith.
Robbie has been taking her time in finding her next big assignment after landing the female lead in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street.” She was in the running for Disney’s “Cinderella,” but this role will give her another strong role in an adult drama to complement “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
She can also be seen in Working Title’s “About Time” this November.
She is repped by CAA and Management 360 and Aran Michael Management in Australia and is currently filming “Suite Francaise” followed by “Violent Talent” with Garrett Hedlund.
