Jackie Earle Haley has made good use of the second wind his career was given after his Oscar-nominated turn in Little Children in 2006, keeping himself busy with roles in films like Watchmen, Shutter Island, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Lincoln, and most recently, Robocop. Now, he’s taking a step behind the camera, and will direct the upcoming indie crime drama, Criminal Activities.
The film, which is being co-produced by Capacity Pictures, Phoenix Rising Motion Pictures and Producer Capital Fund, will mark Haley’s directorial debut. Not only will he be stepping behind the camera for this outing, but he’ll have a starring role as well, alongside John Travolta, Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens and Rebecca Da Costa.
Criminal Activities will tell the story of four men who reunite at an ex-classmate’s funeral. One mentions to the others that he has inside information on a stock that is “guaranteed” to make them instant millionaires. But, because nothing ever goes right in the movies, the deal goes south, and things go from bad to worse when it’s revealed that one of them borrowed his share of the money from a mobster.
Though it sounds a tad too generic, Criminal Activities could turn out to be an interesting crime drama, especially with the talented cast that’s involved. The film is currently gearing up to start production in Cleveland on June 1st, so we should be hearing more on it soon. For now though, I’m definitely intrigued.
