Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace could star in ‘Child 44’ after ‘Animal Rescue’

Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace could make two films together back-to-back. The actors are reportedly in talks to star in Child 44, Daniel Espinoza’s follow-up to the hit Denzel Washington film Safe House.

Variety confirmed that the Dark Knight Rises star in negotiating to star in the film, based on Tom Rob Smith’s novel. Later, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Rapace is also in talks.

Child 44 will be produced by Summit/Lionsgate and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions. Scott worked with Rapace last year on his Alien prequel Prometheus. Richard Price has written the script.

The film is set in the Soviet Union during Stalin’s reign. Hardy will star as an officer who investigates child murders, only to discover that officials suspect him. Rapace will star as his wife.

This news comes just days after it was confirmed that Hardy and Rapace will film Animal Rescue, a project for Fox searchlight that will start production in March. According to Indiewire, that project will be directed by Michael Roskam (Bullhead) and is based on a short story by Mystic River writer Dennis Lehane.

Hardy has also worked on Warner Bros.’ Mad Max: Fury Road, which will open this year.