A couple weeks ago there was a report that both Jeremy Renner, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt were expressing interest in joining Michael Fassbender in the Cormac McCarthy-scripted Counselor , the new film from director Ridley Scott. While it seems that Pitt is no longer available, the other two are still gunning for the part, and, what's more, another A-list actor may be looking at the project as well.
According to Twitch, Renner, Bardem and Natalie Portman are all now in early talks for roles in the upcoming thriller. The plot centers on a lawyer (Fassbender), who believes that he can dip a toe in the drug game, make some quick cash, and get out untouched. Everything starts going wrong, however, and he finds himself fighting to survive. What's interesting about this story is that Renner and Bardem are still going after the same character, the central villain known as Reiner. The article also says that Bardem has an edge over Renner, as he previously starred in the McCarthy adaptation No Country For Old Men and won an Oscar for his performance.
But while the boys fight it out to see who will be messing with Fassbender, Portman is in a field by herself. She is up for the role of Laura, the film's lead female part, though the site gives no character details. The Oscar winner hasn't worked on a new project since giving birth to her first child last year, and Twitch says she is Scott's number one choice. It should be noted that a reporter at Variety says there is "no truth" to this aspect of the story
Production on The Counselor is currently aiming to start in the beginning of May.
