After a tumultuous pre-production, which included stars Michael Fassbender and Jude Law departing, along with director Lynne Ramsay, it looks like the final piece of the puzzle that is Jane Got a Gun has been set in place. With Warrior helmer Gavin O’Connor stepping in to helm, we’ve now got a replacement for Law’s character, as production is about to enter its third week.
According to Deadline, Bradley Cooper has booked the villain role, joining Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton and Rodrigo Santoro in the western. Potential replacements for character were rumored to be Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges, so Cooper’s involvement comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering his currently busy schedule on David O. Russell‘s Abscam drama. After that film wraps in Boston, he’ll segue directly into this one in New Mexico.
Brian Duffield‘s screenplay centers around a leader of a gang (Cooper) who exerts violent strength on a dissenting member; hoping to save the family farm, his wife, Jane Hammond (Portman), tracks down an old flame (Edgerton) to help her stand off against those lowlifes planning to make some final statement with their family. As things begins to escalate, she learns about the art of protecting oneself in the dangerous, violent wild west.
Expect a 2014 release for Jane Got a Gun.
Is Cooper a worthy replacement?