Things are moving apace with Boston Marathon bombing drama Stronger, which is looking to get out ahead of the various other dramas set around the tragic events of 2013. The producers now want Jake Gyllenhaal to star in the film.
David Gordon Green came aboard to direct earlier this month, and will work from John Pollono’s script, itself adapted from survivor Jeff Bauman’s eponymous book, co-written with Bret Witter. Bauman was waiting for his girlfriend at the finish line of the race when two pressure cooker bombs exploded, killing three and injuring more than 260 others, including Bauman. He lost both his legs in the attack. The book chronicles his rebuilding his life through recovery and experiences being a key witness at the trial of surviving bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was sentenced to death in May after being found guilty on all charges.
It’s the sort of role Gyllenhaal could really make work, but he’s still only considering the idea, and according to Variety, no formal offer has been made. He is top of the wish list, though, coming off the back of performances in Nightcrawler and, although the film itself wasn’t as praised, Southpaw. He’ll next be seen in mountain climbing drama Everest (out September 18) and Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition, which is on tap for the Toronto International Film Festival, but has yet to lock down a UK release date. For more from Gyllenhaal, check out our fun recent Pod-chat with the man below.