Jared Leto will make his feature directorial debut with “77,” a period drama centered around police officers investigating the kidnapping of Patty Hearst.
The project is set up at Paramount, and based on a script by David Matthews from a story by James Ellroy, whose “L.A. Confidential” was also adapted to great success.
The project centers around two cops in the 1970s investigating the famed kidnapping of publishing heiress Hearst. As the men search for answers, they simultaneously must solve the brutal murder of a fellow officer.
Nearly 10 years ago actor Russell Crowe was attached to direct the film after Curtis Hansen’s adapted screenplay for “Confidential,” in which Crowe starred, earned nine Oscar nominations.
Leto previously directed a feature length documentary, the 2012 Toronto Film Festival award winner “Artifact.”
Famed “Law & Order” czar Dick Wolf will produce the film with Tony Ganz. Emma Ludbrook is will executive produce under she and Leto’s company Paradox.
Ellroy’s other highly-acclaimed works include “The Black Dahlia,” “The Big Nowhere,” “White Jazz” and “American Tabloid.”
Leto will next appear in Denis Villeneuve’s “Blade Runner 2049.”