Oscar-Nominee Barkhad Abdi in Talks for 'The Place that Hits the Sun'

By now you've no doubt heard the story of Oscar-nominee Barkhad Abdi's humble beginnings, going from a simple limo driver to the breakout star of Captain Phillips. And while we're still a few days away from finding out if he'll bring home some gold (tough sledding against Jared Leto, though), Abdi is already moving on to his next project.

THR reports that Abdi is in talks to star in The Place that Hits the Sun, based on the true story of South African marathon runner, Willie Mtolo. Directed by Brit TV helmer Jim O'Hanlon (Emma), the story centers on the friendship between Mtolo, a Zulu warrior who ran in 1992 New York Marathon, and Ray de Vries, a Caucasian bar owner, during the time of apartheid.

It sounds like the sort of material that could earn Abdi similar acclaim as his acting debut.