Willem Dafoe is the latest name to join the cast of Scott Cooper’s Out of the Furnace, Relativity Media announced today, adding that the film may end up switching to a different title in the near future.
Dafoe, playing the role of John Petty, joins the previously-announced cast that includes Oscar-winner Christian Bale (The Fighter), Oscar-nominated Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Oscar-nominated Sam Shepard (The Right Stuff), Oscar-nominated Woody Harrelson (The Messenger) and Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland).
The film, which started shooting on April 13th on location in Braddock, Pennsylvania, is both written and directed by Cooper (Crazy Heart).
Described as a gripping and gritty dramatic thriller about fate, circumstance, and justice. Russell (Bale) and his younger brother Rodney (Affleck) live in the economically-depressed Rust Belt, and have always dreamed of escaping and finding better lives. But when a cruel twist of fate lands Russell in prison, his brother is lured into one of the most violent and ruthless crime rings in the Northeast – a mistake that will almost cost him everything. Once released, Russell must choose between his own freedom, or risk it all to seek justice for his brother.
Dafoe can currently be seen in the The Hunter and John Carter and will soon be seen opposite Anton Yelchin in Odd Thomas directed by Stephen Sommers, as well as opposite Michelle Monaghan and Stephen Dorff in Tomorrow You’re Gone, directed by David Jacobson.
Producing are Appian Ways Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar) and Jennifer Killoran (The Ides of March) alongside Scott Free’s Ridley Scott (The Grey), Tony Scott (Man on Fire) and Michael Costigan (American Gangster) as well as Relativitys CEO Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter).
(Photo Credit: Zibi / WENN.com)
