Matthew McConaughey is in early talks to star in civil war drama, Free State Of Jones, with Gary Ross attached to direct. The feature is only in the preliminary stages of development, as co-financiers STX Entertainment and IM Global are currently brokering a deal at the American Film Market to discuss the particulars. Regardless, we understand that the aim is to begin shooting in the first quarter of next year.
Set during the 1920s, Free State Of Jones tells the story of a Confederate soldier, Newton Knight (McConaughey), who has since gone on to become a legendary figure after leading one of the biggest rebellions of the Civil War. The film will chronicle Knight’s journey as he defected from the Confederate army and formed his own band of deserters dubbed, The Knight Company. Together, they rallied against the Confederacy and aimed to establish their own place – the Free State of Jones.
Ross, whose most recent work includes The Hunger Games, has long since been enticed by the project and will join Jon Kilik and Scott Stuber to produce the pic for $65 million. With a budget that size, it’ll provide a ton of advantages for what’s likely to be an epic period piece. The helmer is no stranger to managing grandiose features, as well as assembling intimate indie-flavoured pics. Similarly, the same could be said for McConaughey, who is emerging as one of the most intricate, nuanced actors of his generation. While he’s still not officially confirmed, I think he would absolutely knock it out of the park as Newton Knight in Free State Of Jones, but that’s just me.
What do you think?