Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

[imsounoriginal]

Colin Farrell in Talks to Join Denzel Washington in Thriller 'Inner City'

Dan Gilroy, the filmmaker beind the noir 'Nightcrawler,' wrote and is directing 'Inner City.'

Colin Farrell is in talks to star opposite Denzel Washington in Inner City, the Columbia Pictures thriller from Nightcrawler filmmaker Dan Gilroy.

The script, which Gilroy also wrote, centers on an awkward, reclusive lawyer, to be played by Washington, who has worked as a legal researcher in Los Angeles for decades. When his mentor passes away, he is recruited by a prestigious and more cutthroat law firm where he stumbles upon a case that changes his entire life.

Farrell will play the slick, money-focused lawyer who recruits the researcher to his firm.

Todd Black of Escape Artists, Jennifer Fox and Brian Oliver are producing.

A mid-March start in Los Angeles is planned, with the production budgeted in the mid-$30 million range.

Farrell last appeared in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and has two movies in the can: Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, a drama that reteams the actor with his Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos.

Farrell is repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.

from THR

[Talleyrand]

Amazing!

[Monterey Jack]

Nightcrawler was one of the best films of 2014...looking forward to seeing what Gilroy will give us for an encore.

[imsounoriginal]

I liked Nightcrawler so I'm cool with Gilroy. More excited to see Denzel and Farrell together, though. Two of my favorite actors.

[Foggy]

Awkward and reclusive are two things I wouldn't associate with Denzel Washington.

Expectations are high for this one. Gilroy is the bomb.

[reaperx187]

I'm curious if Gilroy can top Nightcrawler with this new film cause that film was one of the top ten in 2014 for me fantastic flick might have to go back and rewatch it too.

[Cremildo]

This is major, major.

[YankydoodleDandy]

I am really looking forward to this next project from Dan Gilroy as writer/director.

Nightcrawler was incredible!

[Falaskan]

Inner cities are a disaster. Like this movie is going to be!

[imsounoriginal]

Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell Thriller Gets Chinese Backing (EXCLUSIVE)

In another instance of Chinese capital flowing into Hollywood, the newly established Culture China — Image Nation Content Fund will co-finance and executive produce Sony Pictures Entertainment’s untitled thriller starring Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell.

Formerly titled “Inner City,” the film is the first project selected for investment by the $300-million fund set up in November by China’s government-backed Intercontinental Communication Center and Image Nation Abu Dhabi. The fund marks the first strategic partnership in movies and TV between China and the United Arab Emirates, and is a conduit for Chinese investment in Hollywood.

Though financial details were not disclosed, the fund is understood to have acquired a substantial portion of the Dan Gilroy-directed legal drama. As previously announced, Cross Creek is co-financing the movie under the agreement it has with Sony, along with Charles King’s Macro and Lone Star Capital.

The film is currently shooting in Los Angeles. Washington plays a hard-nosed liberal lawyer named Roman J. Israel who takes on a case that has life-altering repercussions. Jennifer Fox is producing with Escape Artists’ Todd Black and Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver. Gilroy previously directed hit thriller “Nightcrawler,” with Jake Gyllenhaal.

The Intercontinental Communication Center, established in China in 1995, is the first Sino-foreign financial institution. It has ties with over 70 media companies in more than 30 countries, including NBC and National Geographic in the U.S., ITV in the U.K. and Arte in France.

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is run by U.S. exec Michael Garin, who has implemented a strategy of calculated-risk investments in Hollywood to help finance commercially viable local projects and build a local industry. Image Nation has long-term relationships in Hollywood with Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park and Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald’s Parkes/MacDonald shingle. Ben Ross, Image Nation’s head of narrative, film and television, is currently in Cannes.

from Variety

[dgoswald]

Farrell is excellent when he's playing the duplicitous company man. Washington paired with a Dan Gilroy script has the potential to be magic.

[Hoke Moseley]

Denzel's look for the movie, lol.

[1blufan]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

Denzel's look for the movie, lol.

[Show spoiler]

Nice, looks like Denzel got to sink into this role further with hair and attire. Looking forward to this.. At first I thought this film might be taking place in the 70's from his look, but I see a smartphone in his hand.

[imsounoriginal]

Yeah that looks pretty "awkward and reclusive" lol

Him and Farrell working together with Dan Gilroy... this thing better be good.

[Monterey Jack]

Urkel lives...!

[Cremildo]

The title has been changed to 'Roman Israel, Esq.'

[imsounoriginal]

I liked the older one.

[Hoke Moseley]

One of the worst title changes I've ever seen.

Inner City was perfect.

[aiman04]

Yeah, not liking much the new title. Maybe we'll see a cameo by Jimmy McGill.

This looks very interesting.

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

The title has been changed to 'Roman Israel, Esq.'

Will Alex Winter be joining the cast?