Jake Gyllenhaal has a new movie coming out soon called "Southpaw." Oscar winner Forest Whitaker is currently in negotiations to star opposite Gyllenhaal in Antoine Fuqua's boxing drama, according to The Wrap. The script was written by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy). Gyllenhaal is already cast to play Billy "The Great" Hope, a left-handed prizefighter who wins a title but suffers a tragedy soon after his victory. Following the tragedy, Billy must put his life back together to earn the respect of his young daughter.
Whitaker is in negotiations to join "Southpaw" to play the other lead of Titus 'Tick' Willis, a former fighter who trains amateur fighters after being forced to retire due to losing an eye. The film is set in the boxing ring, but director Fuqua has previously stated "the heart of the movie is about a man learning to be a father." The movie will be produced by Alan Riche and Peter Riche through their Riche Productions banner, along with Fuqua and Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch. Riche Productions is also prepping a big-budget "Tarzan" movie for Warner Bros.
"Southpaw" previously had Eminem attached to star and was originally bought by DreamWorks as a pitch from "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter. DreamWorks tapped out and MGM swooped in planning to distribute through Sony, but now the Weinstein Company is behind it. "Southpaw" production is scheduled to start this summer.
Whitaker, who won an Oscar for "The Last King of Scotland," recently starred in TWC's "The Butler" and produced its drama "Fruitvale Station." Jake Gyllenhaal has a few other movies coming out this year, including "Nightcrawler." Nightcrawler is a crime/thriller film written and directed by Dan Gilroy of The Bourne Legacy. Gyllenhaal stars as a young man who stumbles upon the underground world of L.A. freelance crime journalism.