Joel Edgerton in talks to take lead role in Shantaram

Back in 2004 Warner Bros. acquired the rights to Gregory David Roberts' globe-trotting novel/memoir titled Shantaram and originally had Johnny Depp set to be in the lead role. Peter Weir was also attached to helm the project. Unfortunately the film had some bad luck hit as Peter Weir left the director's chair and then soon after the Writer's Strike occured. As a result Shantaram was left in limbo until recently when Johnny Depp himself called for the project to finally see the light of day. This time, however, Depp recommended Joel Edgerton to take Depp's place in the lead role for Shantaram.

For those that have never heard of Shantaram (like me), the book follows the exploits of a man named Lin Ford (a fictional character modeled after the author) as he finds himself in jail serving a 20 year sentence after commiting a string of armed robberies to fuel his heroin habit. Ford eventually escapes, fleeing the country and finding his way to Mumbai. In what was supposed to be a short stop before he made his way into Germany, Ford ends up getting involved with the locals in Mumbai before landing back in jail. Once released after that sentence Ford finds his way into working in the black market, crossing paths with freedom fighters in Afghanistan.

I had never heard of Shantaram before I heard the recent news about the adaptation, but the description of the story has greatly sparked my interest. The news that Joel Edgerton is in talks to take the lead is sparking my interest even more. So far I have loved just about every film I have seen him in. I really think he can do well with this one.

Shantaram will be produced by Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil, along with Warner Bros. Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider, Munich, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) has penned the script. Since Peter Weir left Shantaram, the project does not have a director attached. Hopefully a director will be found soon. Shantaram sounds like a really good story. I would hate to see it go back into limbo.


Source: Cinema Blend