Boston Bombing Thriller Patriots’ Day Adds Kevin Bacon

Casting continues apace on the set of CBS Films and Lionsgate’s Boston bombing thriller, Patriots’ Day. Mere days after we brought you the news that Michelle Monaghan had joined the growing ensemble as Mark Wahlberg’s significant other, it’s understood that Kevin Bacon is primed to play the part of FBI Special Agent in Charge, Richard DesLauriers.

While Wahlberg’s Sgt. Tommy Saunders anchors the real-life drama as a “composite Boston Police Department officer who leads the manhunt for the chief suspects,” Patriots’ Day is brimming with big name stars. Ever the bankable supporting actor, John Goodman is set to portray Ed Davis, while Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese will be brought to life by none other than J.K. Simmons.

Speaking with regards to Bacon’s addition, director Peter Berg noted that “Richard DesLauriers worked tirelessly as one of the key figures in an impossibly sophisticated investigation and Kevin Bacon possesses the intelligence and empathy to portray him.” Indeed, Bacon is no stranger to sporting the gun and badge, after scrambling to protect Whitey Bulger in last year’s Black Mass.

Sandwiched in between Lone Survivor and upcoming environmental disaster flick Deepwater Horizon, Patriots’ Day represents another creative collaboration between Mark Wahlberg and Peter Berg. The former is set to produce the feature film, flanked by a crack team that comprises Scott Stuber, Hutch Parker, Dylan Clark, Stephen Levinson, Michael Radutzky and Dorothy Aufiero. Matt Charman penned the screenplay.

Peter Perg’s account of Patriots’ Day will open next to Justin Kurzel’s live-action Assassin’s Creed feature on December 21.