Sources tell Variety that Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal are in discussions to star in fashion designer Tom Ford’s thriller “Nocturnal Animals,” his second film as a director after 2009’s “A Single Man.”

This is in the early days as no financial offers have been made yet but insiders say it is headed in that direction.

Ford will write and direct and also produce along with George Clooney and Grant Heslov through their Smokehouse Pictures banner.

Based on the novel by Austin Wright titled “Tony and Susan,” the plot is described as a “story inside a story,” with the first part following a woman named Susan who receives a book manuscript from her ex-husband, a man whom she left 20 years earlier, asking for her opinion.

The second element follows the actual manuscript, called “Nocturnal Animals,” which revolves around a man whose family vacation turns violent and deadly. It also continues to follow the story of Susan, who finds herself recalling her first marriage and confronting some dark truths about herself.

Sources say actors were immediately drawn to the project when the script hit the market, and Adams aggressively pursued the part, as she was interested in the part of Susan, with Gyllenhaal pushing hard for the male lead.

Adams has received five Oscar nominations, most recently for best actress in “American Hustle.” Gyllenhaal has a history of strong dramatic roles with a dark edge.

Adams is about to start production on “Story of Your Life” opposite Jeremy Renner and can be seen next reprising the role of Lois Lane in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” She is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment.

Gyllenhaal is coming off his critically acclaimed role in “Nightcrawler” and has a strong 2015 ahead with the boxing pic “Southpaw,” the Working Title pic “Everest” and “Demolition” all bowing in 2015. He is repped by WME.

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