Just last week we learned that David Gordon Green is in talks to direct Stronger, one of three upcoming dramas about the Boston Marathon bombing. That film may be one step ahead of its competitors as Jake Gyllenhaal is circling the lead role, providing yet another fierce acting challenge for one of our most interesting leading men.

Variety reports that although several major actors have met for the part, Gyllenhaal is Lionsgate’s top choice, and a formal offer is forthcoming. Stronger is based on the book co-written by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter, and tells the story of the Boston Marathon bombing through the eyes of Bauman, who was waiting at the finish line for his girlfriend when the bombs went off, injuring over 250 people and killing three. Bauman lost both of his legs that day, and went on to become a key witness in the prosecution against bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

David Gordon Green is set to direct the film, following his two recent dramatic efforts, Joe and Manglehorn. Green’s next film, Our Brand Is Crisis, stars Sandra Bullock and is scheduled to hit theaters just in time for awards season.

Gyllenhaal is certainly more than up to the task of playing the role of Bauman, given his intense dedication to recent roles including Enemy, Nightcrawler and Southpaw. Up next, he appears in Everest and Demolition, both debuting at film festivals this fall ahead of their official releases.

In addition to Stronger, there are two more Boston Marathon bombing dramas in the works: CBS Films is developing Patriot Day, with Mark Wahlberg attached to star as a Boston police commissioner, while Fox is working on Boston Strong, which recently lost director Daniel Espinosa.

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