Russell Crowe To Star In Remake Of French Thriller A Prophet?

The 2009 A Prophet put French film maker Jacques Audiard firmly on the international map. It seems Paramount Pictures are about to give that film an Hollywood make renamed American Son.

Has the project also found one of it’s cast in the shape of Russell Crowe?

Variety are reporting the English language version of the acclaimed French crime drama is well under way. Andrew “Rapman” Onwubolu been lined up to direct, with writer Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island, Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone), writing the script.

Rapman is a newcomer to directing who caught the eye of Paramount execs thanks to his directorial feature debut Blue Story. Whilst his debut feature may have won the hearts of cinephiles more than critics, Paramount execs liked what they saw. They are also looking for fresh new talent to helm American Son and it would be even bigger step up for the British filmmaker.

Related: Russell Crowe Is ‘Deranged’ In Unhinged Trailer

A Prophet stars Tahir Rahim  as Malik , a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get by in a French prison. When he is taken under the wing of powerful Corsican mob boss Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), he begins performing regular assignments for him, proving himself invaluable to the imposing criminal. As Malik rises in the mob ranks, he gains more power, but also more enemies, a situation that eventually brings conflict with his mentor.

In American Son it seems Russell Crowe will play Niels Arestrup role  as the mob boss. A ruthless gangster whom will take takes the the young man under his wing in Prison. Building  a multiracial crime syndicate, before he takes down his mentor, and earns a place for his crew alongside the Italian and Russian mafias.

There is no word who will play ‘Malik’ in the English Language version. If Rapman directs could he go for Bafta winning EE Rising star Michael Ward?