The spec INNER CITY from Nightcrawler writer-director Dan Gilroy is nearing a deal with Sony Pictures and Cross Creek Pictures. The new project, which Gilroy will write and direct, already has Denzel Washington attached to star. Set to begin production in March, the two companies have put a commitment on the legal drama.
Described as Michael Clayton meets The Verdict, Gilroy’s new flick follows Roman J. Israel (Washington), a liberal lawyer in Los Angeles. For years people have taken credit for his hard work, but when the partner at his firm has a heart attack, he becomes the new front man. This leads him to discover less-than-moral actions the firm has taken over the years and what to do going forward.
Nightcrawler producer Jennifer Fox will also produce this film, alongside Todd Black from Escape Artists and Brian Oliver of Cross Creek. Fox has been helping Gilroy develop this project and Black worked with Washington on both The Equalizer and The Magnificent Seven.
Gilroy earned both an Oscar and BAFTA nomination for his Nightcrawler script. He also wrote the screenplay for The Bourne Legacy and Kong: Skull Island, which is coming out in March. He’s repped by CAA.
Washington will next be seen in The Magnificent Seven, which opens this week. He will also be seen in the film adaptation of Fences soon, which he also directed, and is currently getting plenty of awards buzz. He’s repped by WME.
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Anya Crittenton | Associate Editor
This news was first reported by Deadline.