Common, Billy Bob Thornton Join ‘Hunter Killer’ (EXCLUSIVE)

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/hunter-killer-common-billy-bob-thornton-1201460005/

Common, Billy Bob Thornton Join ‘Hunter Killer’ (EXCLUSIVE)

March 25, 2015 | 01:32PM PT
Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

Billy Bob Thornton and Common will star opposite Gerard Butler in Relativity’s action-thriller “Hunter Killer” with shooting starting in mid-July in New Orleans.

Set beneath the polar ice cap, the story centers on a renegade Russian military leader who pushes the U.S. to the brink of a nuclear confrontation. Cut off from all outside communication, a submarine commander and an elite Navy special forces unit are all that stand between the Russian assault and all-out war.

Martin Campbell (“Green Lantern”) will direct “Hunter Killer” from Peter Craig’s script, which is based on the novel “Firing Point” by George Wallace and Don Keith.

The film is being produced by Original Films’ Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe, and Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. Relativity president Tucker Tooley will executive produce.

Butler will portray the Capt. Glass. Thonrton will play Admiral Charles Donnegan and Common portrays Rear Admiral John Fisk.

Thornton appeared most recently in “The Judge” and in FX’s “Fargo” miniseries. He’s currently filming David Gordon Green’s “Our Brand Is Crisis.” He is represented by WME and Media Talent Group.

The casting of Common comes on the heels of his and John Legend’s Academy Award win for their original song “Glory” from the film “Selma.” Common also portrayed civil rights leader James Bevel in that film. Common is represented by CAA and Oasis Entertainment Management.