James Spader, Ryan Phillippe, Carla Gugino & Eric Bana Join Sheldon Turner’s ‘By Virtue Fall’

Colin Farrell Out


In the works for about a year now, there is a whole lot of fresh movement on “Up In The Air” scribe Sheldon Turner‘s directorial debut “By Virtue Fall.” A fresh cast is now in place, and while one big star who has been circling seems to be on board, one has also departed.

24 Frames reports that James Spader, Ryan Phillippe and Carla Gugino are all officially on board for ‘Virtue’ — with Bana tossing in his commitment but not quite signed on the line just yet — and the independent film now has backing by QED who will also rep the film for international sales. And some of those sales will likely depend on if the project can retain some of the top shelf talent it has attracted in the past. Last summer, it was reported that Eric Bana and Colin Farrell were in talks for the film. Last fall, however, the writing was on the wall as Jeremy Renner was being bandied about as a possible replacement for Farrell, and while that didn’t happen, 24 Frames does confirm that Farrell is indeed out.

Plot details have been scarce so far, but the film will center around a man who gets framed by a mentor figure and subsequently serves prison time. After being released, the man seeks revenge on his former mentor who has since sought a new life. No word yet on what roles any of the aforementioned cast will play.

No production timeline yet, but Bana has told 24 Frames he wants to make the film after he wraps up the currently lensing thriller “Blackbird.”

Leave a comment