Update: Fox Searchlight has corrected Variety’s story telling us James McAvoy is up for a different role than the one Michael Fassbender was circling. There is no word yet on whether or not Fassbender is still involved in the picture, but fingers crossed the duo reteam for Boyle’s film.
Looks like Magneto has been foiled yet again.
Variety reports that James McAvoy is in early talks to star in Danny Boyle‘s “Trance,” subbing in for Michael Fassbender who was previously in talks but dropped out. The thriller will tell the story of an assistant at an auction house who masterminds a heist and teams up with a gang of thieves only to suffer a blow to the head and wake up with amnesia. As the only person who knew the location of the stolen painting, the assistant is then subjected to analysis from a hypnotist as the gang begin to suspect duplicity. McAvoy is eyeing the role of Simon, the shady gang leader who partners with the assistant.
The plan is for Boyle to start production on the film in September. Then we’ll wait as he will transition over to his Olympic duties where he’s acting as one of the creative heads for the 2012 London festivities, before returning to the film a year later around August 2012 to edit and prep the film for a 2013 release. So it’s a long wait, but we’re certain it’ll be worth it.
For McAvoy, it will mark a very busy rest of the year, as he shoots the Brit crime pic “Welcome to the Punch” this summer before moving over to the Danny Boyle film.
