Fresh off an Emmy nomination for his riveting turn as the villainous Lorne Malvo on FX’s “Fargo,” Billy Bob Thornton is in talks to join Sandra Bullock in David Gordon Green’s political dramedy “Our Brand Is Crisis,” an individual familiar with the Warner Bros. project has told TheWrap.
Smokehouse partners George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing the film, which will co-star their “Argo” actor Scoot McNairy. The movie will be executive produced by Bullock.
A representative for Warner Bros. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Our Brand Is Crisis” is based on Rachel Boynton’s 2005 documentary, which focused on the use of American political campaign strategies in Bolivia by President Clinton’s former consultants James Carville and Stan Greenberg.
Bullock will play “Calamity” Jane Bodine, a retired American political consultant who often quotes famous people to help hammer home her talking points. Details on Thornton’s role were not immediately available.
Peter Straughan (“The Men Who Stare at Goats”) wrote the script, and Warner Bros. executives Courtenay Valenti and Racheline Benveniste will oversee the project for the studio. Production will start this fall.
Thornton has become a favorite on the Warner Bros. lot of late, as he co-stars alongside Robert Downey Jr. in “The Judge” and will be seen in the studio’s “Entourage” movie next summer. Thornton also co-stars in the Liam Hemsworth thriller “Cut Bank,” which was recently acquired by A24.
Thornton won an Oscar for writing “Sling Blade” and received Oscar nominations for his performances in that 1996 film as well as Sam Raimi’s “A Simple Plan.” He’s represented by WME, Media Talent Group and attorney Bob Myman.
