Coming off an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay—not to mention glowing reviews and swell box office—forLogan, filmmakerJames Mangoldis understandably in demand for his next project. The director had intended to move right into aPatty Hearstbiopic, but 20th Century Foxscuttled that projectin January after Hearst herself put out a statement blasting the source material. In a matter of weeks, however, theWalk the Linefilmmaker lined upa Ford vs. Ferrari movieat the same studio, which would chronicle the race for dominance between the two motor companies at the 1966 Le Mans World Championship. It was unclear what would be Mangold’s next project, but two major A-listers are circling the lead roles in that untitled Ford vs. Ferrari movie.
Buried in a story about a different Mangold project,Deadlinenotes thatMatt Damonis circling to play Mustang designer Carroll Shelby andChristian Baleis eyeing the role of his driver, Ken Miles, both of whom were under orders from Henry Ford II to build the world’s fastest car. Neither actor has a deal in place and this was given a mere passing mention in the Deadline story, but the prospect of these two actors teaming up for a James Mangold project is certainly enticing.
Bale was actually in line to lead Mangold’s adaptation ofThe Deep Blue Good-Byea few years back, but just before filming began he injured his leg and the project was scrapped. The actor most recently wrapped a role as Dick Cheney inAdam McKay’s upcoming dramaBackseat, while Damon has yet to choose a next project. The actor took some time off after makingJason Bourne,The Great Wall,Downsizing, andSuburbiconin quick succession, but this project could be next in line for him.
However, there’s another project vying for Mangold’s attention. TheCop Landfilmmaker has been attached to direct an adaptation ofDon Winslow’s novelThe Forcefor a bit now, and the aforementioned Deadline story reveals that Mangold is bringing in hisLoganco-writerScott Frankto rewrite the script. The previous draft was byDavid Mamet, but Frank—who created and wrote the Netflix Western seriesGodless—is known as a famous “closer” in Hollywood. He’s someone who can get a script in shape for production, so it’s possibleThe Forcecould be Mangold’s next project if the Ford vs. Ferrari movie hits a snag.
The Forceis a police corruption drama, and what’s likely here is that Mangold is actively developing both of these projects and whichever one gets the greenlight first will be his next film. The guy’s a versatile filmmaker so he could just as easily move into a period drama about car racing as he could into a gritty cop drama, but given the cast potential of the Ford vs. Ferrari project I’m pulling for that one. We shall see.
