Chris O'Dowd is in talks to join Adam Driver in Max Winkler's period comedy "The Coward," TheWrap has learned.
Set in 18th century England, the story follows a cowardly nobleman (Driver) who hails from a family whose men have historically come out on the losing end of to-the-death gunfights. When he panics after initiating a duel, he finds himself hiring a common criminal (O'Dowd) to stand in his place, though the scoundrel decides to improve his lot in life by stealing his employer's identity.
Winkler ("Ceremony") and frequent collaborator Matt Spicer co-wrote the script, which is based on a play by Nick Jones.
Big Beach is financing the project, and its principals Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub are producing with Ravi Nandan and Scot Armstrong of American Work.
O'Dowd currently stars in "The Sapphires" and will soon be seen in the HBO comedy series "Family Tree." He also voices a role in Fox's animated family film "Epic" and is attached to co-star in "St. Vincent de Van Nuys" alongside Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy.
He's repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and Gordon and French.
