Oscar nominees Mark Ruffalo and Kumail Nanjiani are in talks for the lead roles in long-gestating drama The True American. In development for a number of years, the project was once seen as a possible vehicle for Tom Hardy and director Kathryn Bigelow, but both moved on to other endeavors before it came into fruition. Last year, The True American landed Jackie‘s Pablo Larraín as its helmsmen, with Bigelow staying onboard as producer. Annapurna Pictures, the studio behind Academy Award contenders Zero Dark Thirty and Her (among others) is handling the production.


The film is based on the non-fiction book, The True American: Murder and Mercy In Texas, which is set in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Its story revolves around Rais Bhuiyan, a Muslim immigrant and Bangladesh Air Force veteran who barely escapes a killing spree (that leaves two others dead) perpetrated by Mark Stroman – the self-proclaimed “Arab-slayer.” Bhuiyan then tries to save his attacker from the Death Penalty. It certainly has potential to make for a compelling picture, and now it’s taken the next steps to becoming a reality.


According to The Tracking Board, Ruffalo and Nanjiani are in early talks for Stroman and Bhuiyan, respectively. When Larraín came onboard last year, Hardy was still attached as Stroman, but he’s now gearing up to portray Al Capone in Josh Trank’s Fonzo. At one point, Riz Ahmed was set to play Bhuiyan, but it appears he decided to pass on the film as well. It’s worth pointing out that “early talks” are not the same as a done deal, so it remains to be seen if Ruffalo and Nanjiani will officially sign on.


Nanjiani’s profile grew in 2017 thanks to the success of rom-com The Big Sick, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The True American would be something of a change-of-pace for him, since Nanjiani is primarily known for his comedic roles (including Silicon Valley). But as he demonstrated with Big Sick, he has the range to handle dramatic beats, so he should be a good fit for the part of Bhuiyan. As for Ruffalo, this is the latest instance of him balancing his time as Bruce Banner/Hulk in the MCU with smaller projects. In recent years, he’s picked up Oscar nods of his own with acclaimed turns in films such as Foxcatcher and Spotlight, demonstrating his skillset as a tremendous character actor. Ruffalo will be in new territory here (playing an undisputed villain), but he’ll likely bring nuance to his role.


When The True American finally begins production depends on the availability of its supposed stars. Nanjiani’s schedule is clear for now, though Ruffalo is allegedly in line to play Don Hewitt in this fall’s Newsflash (which is set for a November release) after he embarks on the press tour for Avengers: Infinity War. Hopefully, all the pieces fall into place and True American can join Triple Frontier as projects that escaped development hell.