“Mad Max: Fury Road” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” star Nicholas Hoult is set to play legendary author J.D. Salinger in Danny Strong‘s indie drama “Rebel In the Rye,” which Bloom will begin shopping to foreign buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival, it was announced Monday.
Black Label Media is financing with Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill producing alongside Oscar winner Bruce Cohen (“American Beauty”), Jason Shuman and Strong, who adapted Kenneth Slawenski’s biography “JD Salinger: A Life.” CAA is representing North American rights.
“Rebel In the Rye” takes viewers on a journey into the life and mind of the legendary and secretive author J.D. Salinger and tells the story of the birth of “The Catcher In the Rye.” As the author who captivated a generation, Salinger soared to the heights of the literary world but left it all behind for a life of seclusion. Through his rebellious youth, the bloody front lines of World War II, enduring great love and terrible loss, a life of rejection to the pages of The New Yorker and the PTSD-fueled writer’s block that led to a spiritual awakening.
“‘The Catcher in the Rye’ is a classic coming of age story which continues to make a significant impression six generations later. The world has long been fascinated with J.D. Salinger, who the talented Nicholas Hoult will bring to life, in this enigmatic role,” said Bloom’s Alex Walton.
Strong is known best for creating the hit Fox show “Empire,” for which he has written and directed multiple episodes. He has also written the screenplays for “The Butler,” both “Hunger Games: Mockingjay” movies and the HBO films “Recount” and “Game Change.”
Hoult is represented by UTA, 42 and Felker Toczek, while Strong is repped by CAA, Sweeney Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman.
Black Label has Denis Villeneuve‘s crime drama “Sicario” and Jean-Marc Vallee‘s drama “Demolition” screening at Toronto.
Bloom’s upcoming slate includes Shane Black‘s detective thriller “The Nice Guys” starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling; Liza Johnson‘s “Elvis & Nixon” starring Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon; and Renny Harlin’s “Skiptrace” starring Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville.