Several years ago François Cluzet and Omar Sy starred in THE INTOUCHABLES, a French drama/comedy centering on a wealthy quadriplegic who winds up hiring an ex-con to be his live-in caregiver. Cue heart-warming story about two individuals challenging each-other to grow in ways neither would ever expect. The film was a huge hit internationally so obviously an American studio scooped up the rights in order to produce an English-language remake.
The Weinstein Co. has been developing the project for the past few years and now Deadline reports that they're close to casting the lead roles. Although a final deal has not yet been reached, Bryan Cranston (TRUMBO) and Kevin Hart (RIDE ALONG) are said to be in negotiations to star in the remake. At one point Paul Feig (GHOSTBUSTERS) was set to write and direct THE INTOUCHABLES as his next project after BRIDESMAIDS, but he later left after writing the script. In addition to confirming Cranston and Hart taking on the lead roles, it's expected that a director for THE INTOUCHABLES remake will also be announced soon, but Variety claims that Simon Curtis (MY WEEK WITH MARILYN) is attached to direct the remake.
Kevin Hart's next project will see him starring alongside Dwayne Johnson in CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, which is set for a June 17, 2016 release. Bryan Cranston has several films in the pipeline, including THE INFILTRATOR on July 15, 2016 in which he'll play a DEA agent who helps to bust Pablo Escobar's money-laundering organization,.