Jeremy Renner steals lead in King of Heists

Earning a pair of Oscar nominations is an easy way to make people forget your humble beginnings. Does anyone even remember that Jeremy Renner got his start in 1995's National Lampoon' Senior Trip? Probably not. And while he earned some awards buzz early in his career for the film Dahmer(in which he played the serial killer), it was mostly bit parts and supporting roles in questionable movies for a long time. Now that he's a bonafide star, Renner has vigorously took advantage of the opportunities presented to him. He'll star in no less than four movies next year, all of which have franchise potential: The Avengers; Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters; The Bourne Legacy; and Mission Impossible- Ghost Protocol. 

How he can even think to add another film to his schedule is beyond me, but that's exactly what he'll do as he's just scored the lead role in King of Heists, based on J. North Conway's 2010 novel King of Heists: The Sensational Bank Robbery of 1878 That Shocked America. The true story follows George Leonidas Leslie, an architect who takes over the family brewery business when his parents die, but grows bored and heads to New York City with his 15-year old wife for a more exciting life. Within a few years he would be the head of one of the most successul bank robbing gangs, recognized as a criminal  genius. Renner would of course play Leslie, with his production company The Combine producing. 

I'm digging the way Renner is taking an active role  in developing projects for himself, ensuring that he never hits too much of a dry spell, or a rut caused by too many tentpole flicks. Will Staples is writing the script, but at this point no director has been assigned. Ben Affleck maybe? Or Renner himself? [Deadline]