‘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
Jeff Sneider | November 14, 2014 @ 11:06 AM
Last Updated: November 14, 2014 @ 12:46 PM
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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.
George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Sean Penn Light Up BAFTA Britannia Awards (Photos)
Sacha Baron Cohen, Julia Roberts and George Clooney were three of the marquee names at the amp'ed up 2013 edition of the BAFTA Brittania Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday night.
"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" lead Idris Elba, who's on a whirlwind tour of D.C., AFI on Sunday, and a premiere on Monday night, and Sean Penn spend off-stage time together at BAFTA.
Organizers attempt to corral all the Brittania Award winners together backstage: Benedict Cumberbatch, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kathryn Bigelow, Sir Ben Kingsley, George Clooney, and Elba. All have a movie out or coming soon, except Bigelow, who figured in last year's awards race for "Zero Dark Thirty."
Judd Apatow and Fox Film Studios chief Jim Gianopolus with organic event sponsor Jaguar, another Brit, looming in the background.
Model Suki Waterhouse goes cheek to cheek with Isla Fisher in the green room.
...and gets off her heels in the outdoor lounge.
"12 Years a Slave" co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch, both Brits, in the greenroom.
"Mandela" director Justin Chadwick, "The Butler's" David Oyelowo, and Michelle Chadwick.
This nice couple is responsible for spawning "Borat," "Bruno," and "The Dictator". Sacha Baron Cohen's parents Daniella Baron Cohen and Gerald Baron Cohen.
Newish British Consulate-General in LA Christopher O'Connor OBE and BAFTA Chairman Gary Dartnall power-huddle at the pre-show reception.
Bigelow and Lee Daniels. The show airs on BBC America on Sunday November 9, at 9:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden chief James Dolan puts his hat on Harvey Weinstein, as Clear Channel's John Sykes gets caught in the middle on the way in to the Ziegfeld for the NYC premiere of "12-12-12", the concert for Sandy Relief on Friday night. The concert film debuts on November 15.
Concert alums Alicia Keyes and Roger Waters were joined by fellow documentarian Michael Moore and Tommy Hilfiger, amongst other fans like Salman Rushdie and Kelly Rutherford. The after party moved to hotspot No. 8.
"12-12-12" director Amir Bar-Lev nearly passed on grabbing Weinstein for a hello after a "Django Unchained" screening last fall and it could have cost him the job. When Bar-Lev did approach, Harvey quickly told him he wanted him to direct the concert film. Hours later, Bar-Lev was shooting pre-production meetings.
Gayle King ended her day at the 12-12-12 premiere in New York, but started it in Washington, D.C. at the Weinstein and Bruce Cohen produced student film symposium hosted by Michelle Obama at the White House. (12-12-12 photos by Craig Barritt/Getty Images.)
Earlier on Friday, Michelle Obama welcomed industry personalities Whoopi Goldberg, Blake Lively, and Naomie Harris (who plays Winnie Mandela in "Mandela") to the White House.
From another wing of the Weinstein empire, director Ryan Coogler played the White House, after beginning the week headlining TheWRAP's Screening Series presentation of "Fruitvale Station" on Monday. (Photos by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
POTUS' Sneak Preview: President Obama spoke with Nelson Mandela's daughters Zindzi and Zenani before screening their father's biopic, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" in the White House Family Theatre on Thursday night.
(White House Photo by Pete Souza)
In L.A. on Friday night, "Pretty Little Liars'" Shay Mitchell and sought-after fashion blogger Aimee Song (left, and 2nd from left) broke in the 7969 Santa Monica space formerly known as "Voyeur" (now stripped down "DBA") for Revolve Clothing's 10 year anniversary party.
At the Revolve party, Amsterdam-style "ladies in the window" greeted the line outside the venue that once housed burlesque, and a twitter-fueled vending machine for clothing goodies inside.
The night before, NBC's "The Voice" and We TV's "The Lylas" battled on the 6500 block of Sunset with dueling premiere parties.
The Top 12 went from the broadcast stage at the Universal lot to the "Top 12" party at Boulevard 3. Fan favorite Austin Jenckes on stage. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/NBC)
Although the coaches and Carson were there, contestants Caroline Pennell, Jonny Gray, Kat Robichaud chose the cardboard cutout. (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC.)
Next door, We tv threw a bash for stars-in-the-making "The Lylas." a new girl group made up of Bruno Mars' sisters. The reality series debuted Friday night on We, where Kendra Wilkinson also has a series. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Rockers don't wear ties. In Beverly Hills, Jeremy Renner, Gerard Butler, jacket-only Gavin Rossdale, and "mane" man Edward Norton were in dress code (no smiling allowed) at the Ermenegildo Zegna store opening on Rodeo.
Undoubtedly on Ermegenegildo Zegna's "backup talent list", "Duck Dynasty's" Willie Robertson's instead signed the Patron guitar backstage at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
"If I love it, and I believe in it, I'm going to do it, and that's it," Maria Menounos told TheWrap of raising her hand for hosting CPK's "Girls Night In" gathering. With pals like Val Fatehi (front left, mid-manicure), it was a tasty end of a press tour of holiday entertaining tips tied to CPK's new pizzas that began at 2 a.m. Thursday morning.
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“Borat’s” parents are on the scene as Sacha Baron Cohen, Idris Elba, and Kathryn Bigelow make BAFTA’s move to a Saturday night show more glamorous, plus photos from inside and backstage the best industry parties of the week.
Sacha Baron Cohen, Julia Roberts and George Clooney were three of the marquee names at the amp'ed up 2013 edition of the BAFTA Brittania Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday night.
