First Look at Tom Hardy and James Gandolfini in 'The Drop'

It's always sad when we lose a great actor, but what makes it tougher is watching their final performances. It was devastating when James Gandolfini passed away last year, made only more difficult by the sensitive performance he gave that suggested a new phase in his career. Gandolfini still had one more film left to entertain us in, teaming up with Tom Hardy, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Noomi Rapace for The Drop, which you may remember from its previous title, Animal Rescue.

USA Today has released the first images which show us Hardy, Gandolfini, and director Michael Roskam. Penned by crime novelist Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, Shutter Island), and based on his own story, the Boston-set flick centers on an ex-con turned bar owner trying to get his life straight with a girlfriend and pit bull by his side. His attempts to go clean go awry when the pit bull goes missing and he's thrust into the middle of a robbery gone wrong. His bar serves as a "money drop" for local thugs, hence the movie's title.

One last time to see Gandolfini do his thing, and he's surrounded by enough talent that The Drop could be something great. Look for it to open September 19th.