‘Unbroken’s’ Jack O’Connell, Julia Roberts in Talks to Join George Clooney in ‘Money Monster’ (Exclusive)

Jodie Foster is directing the financial thriller for Tom Rothman’s TriStar Productions

jack o connell george clooney julia roberts
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“Unbroken” star Jack O’Connell and Oscar winner Julia Roberts are in talks to join George Clooney in director Jodie Foster‘s financial thriller “Money Monster,” multiple individuals familiar with the TriStar project have told TheWrap.

Representatives for TriStar, O’Connell and Roberts did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Clooney stars as Lee Gates, a bombastic financial TV personality who offers up stock advice on his hit show “Money Monster.”

O’Connell is being eyed to play Kyle Budwell, a blue-collar worker who’s fed up with being exploited by the sharks on Wall Street. With a baby on the way, he feels he has no choice but to take Lee hostage on the air in order to increase a stock’s value and expose the corporate crooks who have been deceiving the American public.

Roberts is nearing a deal to play Nancy Fenn, the director and executive producer of “Money Monster” who may serve as Clooney’s love interest.

“Money Monster” is set up at Tom Rothman’s TriStar Productions, which expects to start production early next year. Daniel Dubiecki and Lara Alameddine will produce for the Allegiance Theater along with Clooney and his Smokehouse Pictures partner Grant Heslov.

Jamie Linden wrote the character-driven script based on an earlier draft by Alan DiFiore and Jim Kouf.

O’Connell earned rave reviews for his performances in “Starred Up” and “’71,” and his turn as war hero Louis Zamperini in “Unbroken” is expected to make him a strong awards contender this year. O’Connell last starred in “300: Rise of an Empire” and will soon be seen in the Weinstein Company’s romantic drama “Tulip Fever.” The British actor is also attached to star in Joe Cornish’s spy movie “Section 6” for Universal. He’s represented by CAA, Conway van Gelder Grant and attorney Robert Offer.

Roberts and Clooney have worked together on the “Ocean’s” trilogy and “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.” She won an Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” and most recently starred opposite Meryl Streep in “August: Osage County.” Roberts is also attached to star Billy Ray’s remake of the Argentine thriller “The Secret in Their Eyes.” She’s repped by CAA and Hirsch Wallenstein.

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