Looks like Jake Gyllenhaal isn’t quite ready to end his watch just yet.
Thesp is in talks to play a detective investigating the kidnapping of a young girl in Alcon Entertainment’s “Prisoners.” Discussions are ongoing, and if the deal closes, Gyllenhaal would join Hugh Jackman and Melissa Leo with Denis Villeneuve (“Incendies”) helming.
Script, penned by Aaron Guzikowski, revolves around a small-town carpenter whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, he takes the law into his own hands, but in the process runs up against the big-city detective assigned to the case.
Alcon toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson are producing, along with 8:38 Productions’ Kira Davis and Madhouse Entertainment’s Adam Kolbrenner. Ed McDonnell and John Stark exec produce.
Production is scheduled to begin in early 2013. Alcon is targeting a Fall 2013 release through its output deal with Warner Bros.
Gyllenhaal caught wind of the project after Villeneuve mentioned it while the two were filming indie thriller “An Enemy.” Gyllenhaal had been considering the project for some time but discussions stalled; thesp re-engaged after a recent script polish.
News of the potential casting comes after a big week for the actor: Besides “End of Watch,” a critical success that over-performed to be No. 1 at the domestic B.O. with $13.2 million, the WME-repped Gyllenhaal also had his U.S. stage debut in the off-Broadway play “If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet.”
