A remake of brutal, ballsy, Oscar-nominated Jacques Audiard drama thriller A Prophet has been kicking its heels in development prison for years now, with directors including Sam Raimi circling the job of getting it shot. There's been little hope of actual release until now, with Blue Story's Andrew "Rapman" Onwubolu on board to direct and Russell Crowe starring in one of the key roles for American Son.
The original film starred Tahar Rahim as Malik El Djebena, an illiterate French-Arab teen sent down for six years and initiated into the prison’s criminal underworld. A fast learner, he soon starts to plot his rapid rise through the violent and brutal inmate hierarchy to become a formidable player. Crowe will be the ruthless mobster who takes the young man under his wing, and shows him the ways of the criminal life.
Dennis Lehane wrote the script years ago, and Onwubolu will work from his most recent draft, with Paramount – having snagged the rights from Sony – backing the production whenever it can kick off shooting once the lead is found. And according to Variety, the studio is looking for a fresh face that can go toe to toe with Crowe.
As for the actor, he has road rage thriller Unhinged looking to test the waters of reopened cinemas Stateside this July, though it doesn't yet have a UK date.