Chris Messina is in negotiations to co-star alongside Ben Affleck in Warner Bros.’ crime drama “Live by Night.”
Elle Fanning, Sienna Miller and Zoe Saldana are also in negotiations to star, with Affleck also toplining and producing along with Jennifer Todd through their Pearl Street banner, as well as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran through their Appian Way banner.
Based on the Dennis Lehane novel, the Prohibition-set drama examines the world of organized crime. Messina will play Affleck’s best friend and partner in crime in the film.
Like Fanning, Miller and Saldana, Messina has been eyed to star for some time, but delays in production due to Affleck’s commitments to “Gone Girl” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” forced the studio to hold off on handing out other offers. Sources say that with cameras expected to start rolling in November, more offers will be handed out.
Known more for his work on TV shows like “The Mindy Project” and “The Newsroom,” Messina has stuck to indie fare when it comes to his film career over recent years, including roles in “Cake” and “Manglehorn.” “Live by Night” would certainly be one of his biggest commercial moves to date.
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He is repped by WME.
