Liam Neeson is in discussions to star as Viola Davis’ husband in Steve McQueen’s “Widows,” a heist movie about four armed robbers who are killed during a caper gone wrong, leaving their surviving spouses to finish the job, TheWrap has learned.
“Get Out’s” Daniel Kaluuya, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Rodriguez and “Moonlight” actor Andre Holland are also set to feature in the film. McQueen is writing the script along with “Gone Girl’s” Gillian Flynn.
“Widows,” based on a 1983 British miniseries, will be the first feature directed by McQueen since 2013’s “12 Years a Slave,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen will produce along with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films, who teamed with McQueen on “Shame” and also produced Best Picture winner “The King’s Speech.” Film4 is co-financing the movie with New Regency.
Neeson most recently starred in Martin Scorsese’s historical drama “Silence,” playing Father Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who committed apostasy after being tortured during the anti-Christian purges of 17th century Japan.
Davis is coming off her first Oscar win Sunday, winning the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rose Maxson, the wife of a frustrated former baseball player-turned-Pittsburgh garbageman, in “Fences.” Co-star Denzel Washington, who directed the film, was also nominated for Best Actor.
Neeson is represented by CAA.
Variety first reported the news.