How soon is too soon? 20th Century Fox is already developing Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge’s still-unpublished Boston Strong, about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, into a feature film, and now we’re hearing that the project is close to gaining a helmer – Daniel Espinosa (Safe House) is in talks to direct. It’s not all good news for the film, however, seeing as the previously attached Casey Affleck has reportedly dropped out.
Espinosa, who is currently putting the finishing touches on Soviet Union-set period thriller Child 44, has been extremely in demand since directing Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington in the aforementioned 2012 action-thriller. His name has also recently come up in association with the Jo Nesbo adaptation Blood on Snow and John Grisham pic The Racketeer, though he’s not officially attached to either project.
As for Affleck, the star became attached to star and produce in October, but recent reports say that his deal fell through. No reasons were given for the exit, so it could be a simple matter of scheduling rather than a statement on Affleck’s part about how quickly Hollywood is bringing the Boston Marathon bombings to the big screen.
Boston Strong, which The Fighter scribes Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson are adapting from Sherman and Wedge’s book, is said to focus not on the tragedy itself but the aftermath of the terrible bombing, which killed three bystanders and wounded more than 200 more. In the wake of the attacks, a massive manhunt was launched to apprehend the perpetrators, and the city reeled from the event. In keeping with the book’s name, however, Wedge has stated that Boston Strong will “[focus] on the inspirational side of what happened,” as opposed to just the terrifying first hours after the bombing.
We’ll keep you posted with more as Fox finds a replacement to fill Affleck’s shoes. Fingers crossed that the studio sees fit to bring in some authentic Boston talent (has anyone checked what Ben Foster’s schedule looks like lately?).