While it was once in Ridley Scott’s court to direct, he always signs up for way too many projects so he’s had to step away (but remains as a producer) and Relativity Media has now closed a deal with Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) to write and direct the upcoming Out of the Furnace (previously known as The Low Dweller), according to Deadline.
Cooper, known for writing, producing and directing the highly-acclaimed, Oscar-winning Crazy Heart, has had numerous options since the success of that film. While he’s flirted with a few things, this is the first he’s been firmly attached to. He will direct the film based on the story from The Low Dweller by Brad Ingelsby.
It’s planned as a gritty throwback to films of the 1970’s. It’s a dark drama set in 1986 Indiana. The protagonist is Slim, a man released after serving years in prison for murder who wants to follow through on his promise to marry his long-suffering girlfriend. But when he discovers his brother has been murdered after getting involved in a gambling racket, his goals change and he avenges the death.
Alongside Relativity, the film is being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Ridley Scott and Tony Scott’s Scott Free with Energy Entertainment. When Ridley was directing, DiCaprio was set to star, but it appears that for the moment the Incpetion actor is only on-board as a producer. He may step back into the starring role, but is likely to want to see a script before he makes any firm decisions.