EXCLUSIVE
Canadian hip hop star Drake is in negotiations to join the financial thriller "Arbitrage," TheWrap has learned.
Nicholas Jarecki ("The Outsider") is writing and directing the indie film, which follows a hedge fund magnate who is in over his head and desperate to complete the sale of his shady trading empire to a major bank before his fraud is revealed.
However, an unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help in protecting him from rivals who want to bring him down.
Susan Sarandon and Eva Green ("Casino Royale") are set to play the character's wife and art dealer mistress, respectively.
Johnny Lin is producing and financing the picture through his company Filmula. Bob Salerno ("A Single Man") Laura Bickford ("Traffic") and Kevin Turen will also produce, while Brian Young will exec produce.
Production is scheduled for this March in New York.
Unlike other popular musicians who make the leap to the big screen, Drake has acting experience, having co-starred on "Degrassi: The Next Generation." [6]
Should the deal close, "Arbitrage" will mark Drake's second appearance on the big screen. He previously had a small role in "Charlie Bartlett."
The 24-year-old artist's first studio album, "Thank Me Later," debuted at the top of the Billboard 2000 in June 2010 and has since gone platinum. He has another album due later this year.
Drake is represented by ICM.