Daniel Espinosa To Helm Black List Yakuza Crime Pic 'The Outsider'; Michael Fassbender Eyed To Star

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by Simon Dang
March 1, 2012 9:34 PM
8 Comments

After making waves with his critically acclaimed "Snabba Cash" -- which is only seeing a theatrical release this summer, two years after it's original Swedish unveiling -- Daniel Espinosa was linked to numerous big-name projects before moving onto the Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds starrer "Safe House," which has surely earned him a lot of good will with its box office performance (it crossed $100 million domestic this week). The helmer looks to be showing no signs of stopping and is now negotiating to take the helm of Andrew Baldwin's Black List approved fish-out-of-water Yakuza crime drama "The Outsider."

Described as the fascinating story of an American former prisoner-of-war who rises in the yakuza in post-World War II Japan. The script earned fourth place on 2011's Black List and was quickly picked by Warner Bros. reportedly solely based on the way the premise was pitched with giant father-son producers Art and John Linson in tow.

The studio's enthusiasm for Espinosa and this project, though, is further personified by reports they're also eyeing man-of-the-moment Michael Fassbender to star as the aforemenioned POW. It remains to be seen if the actor has any interest, but the Irish thesp's calendar is getting busy real quick. On top of his re-teaming with Steve McQueen on "Twelve Years A Slave," Fassbender recently jumped on board Ridley Scott's "The Counselor" due to shoot this May and is devleloping a project in which he'll play an Achilles-esque Irish warrior named Cuchulain in "Irish Myths." There's also Brendon Gleeson's long-gestating adaptation of "At Swim-Two-Birds" which is apparently coming together this year as well.

Either way, we're sure Espinosa won't be short of suitors and, coupled with a Black List script, we're keen to see where this project goes from here. Interestingly, 'Outsider' scribe Baldwin himself burst onto the scene in a similar manner to the project's new helmer, Espinosa. After earning his spot on the renowned Black List and having the script get picked up, Warner Bros. soon recruited him to help pen Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling's upcoming remake of the sci-fi classic "Logan's Run." [Deadline/Variety]

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More: Daniel Espinosa, Michael Fassbender, The Outsider, Warner Bros.

8 Comments

| Reply
Cj | March 3, 2012 4:50 PMReply

Dear Fassy I love you but please try and do a different accent than the Irish one sometimes, especially if you actually take this on. It is too lovely it's distracting.
Rah-al | March 2, 2012 12:09 PMReply

Fassbender is an excellent choice. Watch 'Hunger' to see how good he is as a prisoner, watch 'Haywire' to see him in hand to hand combat against a real MMA star. Best part of the movie. He will be crazy good as a guy in a Japanese crime organization with his lean athletic body. So make it happen Warner Brothers. He made 4 movies back to back last year so he can handle a tough schedule.
Ral-al | March 2, 2012 1:02 PM

I meant how good he is as a political prisoner dying of self starvation in HUNGER. So he can pull off the POW part in the movie without looking like a pretty boy rich Hollywood star.
Jay | March 2, 2012 9:10 AMReply

Fassbender is "eyed to star" in every damn movie. Make it stop. Really dislike him as an actor.
Markunator | March 2, 2012 4:39 PM

Please tell me you're fucking joking.
kulop | March 2, 2012 9:36 AM

I'm glad i'm not the only whos' getting tired of him.
Oogle monster | March 1, 2012 10:39 PMReply

Justice for Fassy!!!!
MT | March 1, 2012 10:37 PMReply

Hope Fassbender enjoyed his time off this year, because when it rains, it pours. Fingers crossed this'll pan out.