Dennis Lehane novels are very hot property at the moment. Over the last 10 years his books MYSTIC RIVER (2003), GONE BABY GONE (2007), and SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) have been helmed by the likes of Clint Eastwood, Ben Affleck, and Martin Scorsese, each receiving critical acclaim. Now Hollywood are even looking at his short stories, and one under consideration is ANIMAL RESCUE, which tells the story of a bartender that gets involved with unsavory criminals operating out of his bar, as well as coming into conflict with the abusive owner of a puppy he rescued. Tom Hardy is being looked at for the lead, which is no surprise considering his animal loving ways. Hardy may be a bit busy at the moment though, with him showing interest in Doug Liman’s Everest, and producing and possibly starring in an animal trafficking drama.
It’s also being reported that Neil Burger has left the director’s chair of ANIMAL RESCUE to take on young adult novel adaptation DIVERGENT. Stepping into his vacated shoes is Michael Roskam, the director behind the fantastic BULLHEAD, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. Roskam is also tipped to be directing an adaptation of THE TIGER, an adaptation of the novel by John Vaillant which centres on a group of humans that encroach on a Tiger’s territory. That film is being produced by Darren Aronofsky and Brad Pitt with a script by BABEL writer Guillermo Arriaga.
Ben Affleck is also looking to return to the novels of Dennis Lehane as he is currently in talks for an adaptation of LIVE BY NIGHT. Not surprising since GONE BABY GONE launched his career as a director and he hasn’t looked back since.
Source: Variety
