The moment Cormac McCarthy sold his first screenplay, The Counselor, it was clear there was gonna be a lot of high profile interest in it, especially after Ridley Scott signed up to direct. In the last few weeks they've been putting together a great cast, with the latest news being that Penelope Cruz is eyeing a key role in the film. THR says that an official offer hasn't been made yet, although one is expected very soon.
Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, and the Cruz's husband, Javier Bardem, are already signed up, and while Angelina Jolie may still join them, it's looking like scheduling issues with Malifecent may prevent it.
The story follows a down and out lawyer (Fassbender) in a Mexican border town, who tries his hand in the drug trade when he has cash flow issues. The attorney teams up with a wealthy acquaintance (Javier Bardem) and a shady businessman (Brad Pitt) to get their cocaine trafficking enterprise off the ground. Cruz would play the lawyer's love interest.