Liam Neeson is in discussions to star as Viola Davis’ husband in Steve McQueen’s “Widows,” a heist movie about four armed robbers who are killed during a caper gone wrong, leaving their surviving spouses to finish the job, TheWrap has learned.
“Widows,” based on a 1983 British miniseries, will be the first feature directed by McQueen since 2013’s “12 Years a Slave,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen will produce along with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films, who teamed with McQueen on “Shame” and also produced Best Picture winner “The King’s Speech.” Film4 is co-financing the movie with New Regency.
Neeson most recently starred in Martin Scorsese’s historical drama “Silence,” playing Father Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who committed apostasy after being tortured during the anti-Christian purges of 17th century Japan.
Davis is coming off her first Oscar win Sunday, winning the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rose Maxson, the wife of a frustrated former baseball player-turned-Pittsburgh garbageman, in “Fences.” Co-star Denzel Washington, who directed the film, was also nominated for Best Actor.
Neeson is represented by CAA.
Variety first reported the news.
17 Movies We're Dying to See in 2017, From 'Beauty and the Beast' to 'Dunkirk'
Scan TheWrap's list of our most anticipated movies of the upcoming year
March 10: "Kong: Skull Island"
The new iteration of the ginormous ape boasts a stellar cast of Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly and Jason Mitchell. And the trailers have looked stunning (and terrifying) so far.
Warner Bros.
March 17: "Beauty and the Beast"
Yes, Disney is producing a lot of live-action version of their original IP, but after the success of "The Jungle Book" last year, we can't wait for this one. Also, Emma Watson is the perfect Belle and, based on what we've seen from trailers, it will be magical.
Disney
April 14: "The Fate of the Furious"
Who doesn't love a good ol' "Fast and the Furious" movie? However, this one will mark the first full movie without Paul Walker, who was included in the last film through CGI.
Universal
May 3: "Logan"
"Logan" will be Hugh Jackman's final performance as the famous "X-Men" character, which many call the best character in the franchise. It is also a coveted role that has defined Jackman's career for 20 years. But "Logan" will offer a new twist on the franchise -- Logan is older, and his powers are fading.
Fox
May 5: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
The first "Guardians" film was well-received both critically and commercially, so it's about time Marvel fans are treated to a sequel. And Baby Groot has already cozied up to fans everywhere.
Disney
May 26: "Baywatch"
Many are curious to see how a movie adaptation of the classic TV series will turn out -- but with a sexy cast and alums like David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson returning, we think it might be worth waiting for.
June 2: "Wonder Woman"
Come on, Gal Gadot in a movie that exemplifies female empowerment? We're in! The trailers have been epic so far, and DC fans desperately need a pick-me-up after many were disappointed with "Suicide Squad" and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Warner Bros.
July 21: "Dunkirk"
Christopher Nolan's WWII drama has been on people's radar for a while now, and the film will draw in younger fans with its casting of Harry Styles. The movie boasts a great ensemble, comprised of Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy and James D'Arcy.
Warner Bros.
July 28: "The Dark Tower"
Enough of Stephen King's novels have been adapted into film to know that "The Dark Tower" will be great. Idris Elba is set to play The Gunslinger, while Matthew McConaughey will star as The Man in Black.
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August 11: "Baby Driver"
Edgar Wright is a great writer/director, having directed "Shaun of the Dead" and written screenplays for movies like "Ant-Man." Starring Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx and Ansel Elgort, "Baby Driver" looks like a solid action thriller.
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October 6: "Blade Runner 2049"
Fans of the original "Blade Runner" had to wait 35 years for a sequel, and it comes with the return of Harrison Ford and the addition of Ryan Gosling -- and it's set way in the future.
Warner Bros.
November: "Bad Moms Christmas"
"Bad Moms" delivered one of the most hilarious scenes in a comedy this year (yes, we're talking about the grocery store one) so we're excited about the prospect of another movie featuring the Mila Kunis-Kathryn Hahn-Kristen Bell trifecta.
STX
Nov. 22: "Murder on the Orient Express"
An awesome cast including Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and Michael Pena will star in the remake of the 1974 film, based on Agatha Christie's famous novel.
December 15: "Star Wars: Episode VIII"
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is set to return in the eighth movie, which will also mark Carrie Fisher's last performance as Princess Leia after her untimely death in December. And it's "Star Wars," so of course we're excited!
Disney
Dec 25: "The Greatest Showman"
For fans of P.T. Barnum or anything circus-related, "The Greatest Showman" will be the biographical drama to look out for in 2017. And for fans already deprived of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine... well, he's in this movie!
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2017: "Mother"
"Black Swan" and "Requiem for a Dream" director Darren Aronofsky helms this movie with his girlfriend Jennifer Lawrence starring. It's about a couple whose tranquil life gets disrupted when guests arrive at their home uninvited.
Getty Images
2017: "Paul Thomas Anderson Untitled Fashion Project"
Movie buffs love seeing any new project by Paul Thomas Anderson. The plot is unknown, but it's described as a drama in London's fashion world in the 1950s. Daniel Day-Lewis stars.
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From superhero movies to WWII dramas, 2017 has great films in store
Scan TheWrap's list of our most anticipated movies of the upcoming year
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