It's a casting director's dream: two of the hottest leading men in Hollywood, teaming up on one film. But in a sign of the times (and the type of movies that have been getting Oscar nominations of late), it's no big budget studio film that may hit the jackpot here: instead, Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper are looking likely to topline an indie film of the highest pedigree.
Derek Cianfrance, writer/director of the Oscar-nominated "Blue Valentine," will reteam with Gosling on, "The Place Beyond The Pines," which Variety calls a "multi-generational drama," with Bradley Cooper being lined up to grab the other starring role. Gosling, Variety reports, will play a pro motorcyclist who becomes a thief to support his son, while Cooper would take on the part of a rookie cop who becomes his rival. Sidney Kimmel Entertainment has stepped in to finance and produce the film.
For Gosling, the role, at least superficially, is similar to another indie film that he's starring in, the fall-slated "Drive." In that film, he plays a stunt car driver who has a second, secret career as the getaway driver for bankrobbers. Debuting at Cannes, it will mark a return to the indie world after this summer's big studio romantic comedy, "Crazy, Stupid, Love," in which he co-stars with Steve Carell, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore.
As for Cooper, he's set to rock the world once again with "The Hangover Part II," out this Memorial Day. He's also lining up the part of Lucifer in the adaptation of Milton's "Paradise Lost." He proved his number one leading man status with this winter's "Limitless," an indie thriller.
For more on "The Place Beyond The Pines," click over to Variety.