With his blockbuster status called into question with Fantastic Four's dismal release a few weeks ago, Miles Teller is wisely returning to the independent circuit. The Whiplash actor is in talks to star in DreamWorks' PTSD drama Thank You For Your Service.
Following three U.S. soldiers struggling to integrate into civilian living again as they return home from the Iraq war, and based on the book of the same name by David Finkel, the role Teller would play is unclear at the moment and TheWrap is quick to note their sources' cautionary tone about the deal in their exclusive report. Regardless of whether or not he takes the role, however, he's the first actor to circle the project after American Sniper screenwriter Jason Hall agreed to make it his directorial debut at the end of June. Expect more casting reports to flood soon, though, as the studio is hoping to plug this as an Oscar contender for next year's race and want to get the ball rolling sooner than later.
Steven Spielberg occupied the director's chair prior to Hall jumping in to call the shots on his own screenplay, and rumors at the time suggested Daniel Day-Lewis would reunite with his Lincoln director by starring in the film. With Spielberg out of the picture entirely, however, there's little chance Lewis is still sticking around. Regardless of who stars, cameras are expected to roll beginning either at the end of this year or the beginning of the next.
Thank You For Your Service serves (no pun intended) as just one film in Teller's ever-expanding list of upcoming projects. In addition to his Vinny Pazienza biopic Bleed For This being released later this year, he also recently wrapped filming on Todd Phillips' Arms and the Dudes and on the Divergent sequel Allegiant: Part 1. He also has Get a Job set for release one day or another. He's currently working on producing The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang, which he'll also star in, and is attached to lead Marc Webb's The Only Living Boy in New York sometime next year as well. He may also find himself obligated to fit a Fantastic Four sequel in his plans if Fox remains adamant about their 2017 release, but don't hold your breath on that just yet.
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