John C. Reilly, who for years has held the rights to Patrick Dewitt’s novel THE SISTERS BROTHERS, is now attached to star and produce. Reilly will lead as on of the titular brothers in this darkly funny western.
French director Jacques Audiard is poised to make his English-language debut on the project, which follows two hired guns who journey from Oregon City to San Francisco to murder a prospector, but find that their intended target may have a better offer for them.
There’s no producers on board aside from Reilly yet, though his name is likely to attract interest fast.
The western genre has been subject to a proper revitalization in the last few years, following the success of the Coen Bros. revisionist take on True Grit. Most recently, Michael Fassbender saddled up for the fantastic indie western Slow West, which premiered to rave reviews at Sundance this past winter. Last year, Tommy Lee Jones also released his take on the genre with the drama The Homesman, which he directed and starred in opposite Hilary Swank and Meryl Streep.
Reilly, ever the risk-taker, most recently appeared in Matteo Garrone’s fantasy anthology Tale of Tales. He’ll next appear in Rick Alverson’s dark comedy Entertainment, which features frequent collaborators Gregg Turkington and Tim Heidecker. He’ll also appear in Dogtooth helmer Yorgos Lanthimos’ black comedy The Lobster, which also stars Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz.
Audiardis known for helming Rust & Bone, A Prophet, and the thriller Dheepan, which won the Palme d’Or this year at Cannes.
Reilly is repped by WME and Framework Entertainment. Audiard is represented by Voyez Mon Agent.
Clark Allen | Associate Editor
