Julia Roberts' most recent crime pic, thriller remake Secret In Their Eyes could have used an investigation of its own, since it was cut down by bad reviews and disinterested audiences. She's hoping for better things with Train Man, and is now in talks to star.
No, it's not the story of Thomas the Tank Engine going on a murderous spree when the Fat Controller fires Annie and Clarabel. Train Man, which Variety reports boasts a script by Eleventh Hour writer Simon Stephenson, is based on the real life case of Darius McCollum, a man who has been arrested more than 25 times in New York for posing as public transport worker and driving off a number of trains and buses. McCollum, who has Asperger's syndrome, has become something of a folk hero in the city.
Real-life legal stories have done well for Roberts in the past (Erin Brockovich helped her to an Oscar) and the role of McCollum's lawyer sounds like it could be a good one for her. But there's no director on the film yet, so we'll see if she ends up taking the job.
Roberts will next be seen in Jodie Foster's Money Monster (due May 27) and has Garry Marshall's Mother's Day set for June 10.