Fresh off securing the opening night slots at the Venice and Toronto film festivals with “Everest” and “Demolition,” respectively, Jake Gyllenhaal is about to secure an offer to star in “Stronger,” Lionsgate’s drama about Jeff Bauman, who survived the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
Gyllenhaal is in talks to play Bauman, who was cheering for his girlfriend at the finish line and lost both of his legs in the tragic terrorist attack, though he helped identify Tamerlan Tsarnaev as soon as he emerged from surgery. He subsequently wrote a book with Bret Witter titled “Stronger” that chronicles his recovery and serves as the basis of the film.
David Gordon Green will direct “Stronger” from a script by John Pollono. Mandeville Films partners Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman will produce with Scott Silver, while Peter McGuigan will serve as an executive producer.
“Stronger” is one of several Boston Marathon bombing movies in development along with 20th Century Fox’s “Boston Strong” and CBS Films’ “Patriot’s Day” starring Mark Wahlberg, though Gyllenhaal’s pending attachment would bode well for the project and give it a boost in the crowded marketplace.
The Oscar-nominated actor has been tackling one grueling physical challenge after another between “Nightcrawler” and “Southpaw,” which put up a strong fight at the box office this past weekend.
Gyllenhaal is set to star in Tom Ford’s next film “Nocturnal Animals” alongside Amy Adams. He’s represented by WME and Bloom Hergott.
The news was first reported by Variety.