When you're Akiva Goldsman, one of the most powerful writers and producers in Hollywood, casting your directorial debut should be cake. So far, that's exactly what it's been as he's been casting up Winter's Tale, an adaptation of Mark Helprin's acclaimed 1983 novel. Jessica Brown-Findlay(Downtown Abbey) is already locked for the female lead, but Goldsman pulled some strings and got Will Smith and Russell Crowe to co-star. Now his search for a leading man may be over as an offer has been made to Colin Farrell.
If he accepts, Farrell would beat out a bunch of younger contenders including Tom Hiddleston and Benjamin Walker. Negotiations aren't underway yet, so it's always possible Farrell passes on it. I doubt it, though, as he's been slowly building up his cred the last few months and working with Goldsman, Smith, and Crowe is a good way to get back on top.
The story is basically a fairy tale with a spiritual twist, following Peter Lake, a petty thief who falls in love with the terminally ill Beverly Penn after breaking into her wealthy father's home. Peter runs afoul of a gang, who are constantly on his tail, but he is protected by a literal guardian angel in the form of a flying white horse.
Filming is set to begin in October. [Variety]
