Brian Helgeland knows his way around crime stories, winning an Oscar for “L.A. Confidential,” getting nominated for “Mystic River,” and writing fare like “Man On Fire” and “Payback” (which he also directed). Now’s got another project cooking that’s attracting some big names.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Ansel Elgort (“Baby Driver“) and Zendaya (“The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Greatest Showman“) are the trio who have signed up for “Finest Kind.” The story is set against the backdrop of the Boston underworld, and revolves around two half-brothers. When one of them discovers his estranged father has only months to live, he makes a deal with the wrong people, and everything gets turned upside down.
30WEST will putting up the cash for the pic, with STX Entertainment hustling the international rights at the Berlin International Film Festival. You had us sold at Gyllenhaal and Helgeland, and if Elgort and Zendaya can get the requisite amount of gritty, this could be something very cool. [THR]