Three-time Oscar-nomineeMark Ruffalohas closed a deal to star inTodd Haynes' untitled legal drama for Participant Media, Collider has learned. The project was formerly known asDry Run, and Ruffalo signed on to produce in mid-September, though at that point it was unclear if he was going to play the lead in the film.
The project is based on Nathaniel Rich’sNew York Times Magazine’s article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare.” In addition to acquiring the rights to the article, Participant has also optioned the life rights ofRobert Bilott, the attorney at the center of the legal fight against the environmental catastrophe caused by the chemical company DuPont. Ruffalo will play Bilott, who had been practicing as a corporate defense attorney for eight years when he took on the environmental suit against DuPont, which eventually exposed a decades-long history of chemical pollution.
Matthew Carnahan(Deepwater Horizon) wrote the screenplay, with current revisions being done byMario Correa(Let Her Speak). Killer Films’Pamela KofflerandChristine Vachonwill produce alongside Ruffalo, while Participant’sJeff SkollandJonathan Kingwill executive produce. Bilott will serve as a consultant on the project, which Participant’sRobert Kesselwill oversee on behalf of the company. Lionsgate is handling international sales.
Haynes rarely directs projects he hasn’t developed himself, but his most recent filmWonderstruckfailed to perform at the box office and drew middling reviews, which perhaps led him to reconsider his approach to material. This is certainly a powerful story in the vein ofErin BrockovichandA Civil Action, and with Ruffalo by his side, this could prove to be his best film yet.
Ruffalo and Participant have history together, of course, as the actor starred in the company’s Best Picture winnerSpotlight, for which Ruffalo received his third Oscar nomination. Ruffalo has only appeared in three films since –Now You See Me 2,Thor: RagnarokandAvengers: Infinity War– so it’ll be nice to see him return to dramatic adult fare. It goes without saying, of course, that he will reprise his role as Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, in the upcoming fourthAvengersmovie, which is still without a title.
Ruffalo is represented by UTA and Lighthouse Management and attorney Keith Klevan.
