“The Conspirator” may have been a little dull, despite an excellent cast, but as Robert Redford was the man behind the sublime “Quiz Show,” we’re always going to pay attention when the star goes behind the camera, and his latest project, “The Company You Keep,” sounds particularly interesting: an adaptation of a well regarded novel by Neil Gordon, with a script by “The Limey” writer Lem Dobbs, the film will see Redford play an ex-Weather Underground militant who’s exposed by a young journalist (Shia LaBoeuf), and forced to go on the run. And now, Redford’s looks to have landed one of his contemporaries for a role in the project, one who’ll likely bring a little crazy on board.
Variety report that the ever-entertaining Nick Nolte is in talks to come on board the project. The actor has given great performances going back forty years, but is on something of a hot streak at the moment: he’s got a key role in Michael Mann and David Milch‘s HBO series “Luck,” and the MMA drama “Warrior,” with Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy, is picking up some very hot pre-release buzz. Interestingly, it’ll be the first time he’s worked with Redford, and we look forward to the two facing off on camera. There’s no word on what role Nolte will take, so we can’t, as yet, rule out the possibility of him turning into a giant jellyfish at some point, as he did at the end of Ang Lee‘s “Hulk.”
All in all, things are looking promising here — LaBeouf is due for some more interesting material, and between this and John Hillcoat‘s “The Wettest County,” he does seem to be pursuing it. Although we’re sure that won’t stop him bashing the films 18 months after they’re released. Filming will start in Vancouver in September, so we should see this in theaters before the end of 2012.
