Jake Gyllenhaal in Talks to Star in Boston Marathon Bombing Drama 'Stronger'

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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.

Also Read: The Evolution of Jake Gyllenhaal: From 'Bubble Boy' to Brawny 'Southpaw' Boxer (Photos)

“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.

The Evolution of Jake Gyllenhaal: From 'Bubble Boy' to 'Life' (Photos)

"Bubble Boy" (2001)
One of Gyllenhaal's earliest film credits is as Jimmy Livingston -- a boy without an immune system who lives in a bubble -- in "Bubble Boy"
Buena Vista Pictures
"Donnie Darko" (2001)
Perhaps one of Gyllenhaal's most notable roles, the actor stars as the titular character in this cult classic about a troubled teenager with disturbing visions
Newmarket Films
"The Good Girl" (2002)
In "The Good Girl," Gyllenhaal plays Holden, the love interest of Jennifer Aniston's character Justine Last. The two start an affair while working together at a local department store
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Moonlight Mile" (2003)
After Joe Nast's (Gyllenhaal) fiancée Diana Floss was murdered in a shooting, he opts to stay with her parents and mourn her loss together
Buena Vista Pictures
"The Day After Tomorrow" (2004)
In this sci-fi flick, Gyllenhaal plays Sam Hall -- a baby-faced teenager visiting Manhattan when disastrous weather strikes
20th Century Fox
"Brokeback Mountain" (2005)
Gyllenhaal plays Heath Ledger's lover Jack Twist in one of the most innovative films of all time. The two gay cowboys earned several Academy Awards nods.
Focus Features
"Jarhead" (2005)
Gyllenhaal stars as real-life United States Marine Anthony Swofford who is deployed to fight in the Gulf War
Universal Pictures
"Zodiac" (2007)
In "Zodiac," Gyllenhaal's character Robert Graysmith is fascinated by a notorious serial killer in San Francisco. He later goes on to pen a book about the self-named Zodiac killer, though the murders remain unsolved
Paramount Pictures
"Brothers" (2009)
Gyllenhaal stars opposite Tobey Maguire in "Brothers," a story about a Marine with intense post-traumatic stress disorder
Lionsgate
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" (2010)
The actor stars as Dastan in this adventure action fantasy film based on the video game, as Gyllenhaal proves he is capable of taking on a macho persona in an action flick
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
"Love & Other Drugs" (2010)
In "Love & Other Drugs," he plays Jamie Randall -- a successful Viagra salesman and Anne Hathaway's love interest
20th Century Fox
"Prisoners" (2013)
Gyllenhaal stars as Detective Loki, a somber character who is tasked with the safe return of two girls who go missing
Warner Bros. Pictures
"Nightcrawler" (2014)
Gyllenhaal portrays Louis "Lou" Bloom in "Nightcrawler" -- a freelance cameraman who shoots crime scenes. Oftentimes, he tampers with evidence for the sake of a better, more profitable shot
Open Road Films
"Enemy" (2014)
Gyllenhaal is his own co-star in "Enemy," a psychological thriller about one identical twin who stalks the other
A24 Films
"Southpaw" (2015)
The actor plays down-and-out boxer Billy Hope in "Southpaw." The fighter undergoes an inspiring comeback story after the death of his wife (Rachel McAdams)
The Weinstein Company
"Demolition" (2016)

The actor plays a young finance exec who goes into a tailspin while mourning the sudden death of his wife.
Fox Searchlight
"Nocturnal Animals" (2014)

The actor played dual roles in Tom Ford's acclaimed thriller, as both struggling novelist (and ex-husband of Amy Adams' gallery owner) as well as the protagonist of that writer's creepy novel.
Focus Features
"Sunday in the Park With George" (2017)

Gyllenhaal starred with Annaleigh Ashford in a Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical as 19th-century French artist Georges Seurat.
"Life" (2017)

Gyllenhaal stars opposite Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson as astronauts who discover life on Mars -- and it seems less than friendly to human visitors.
Sony