James Gandolfini in Talks for ANIMAL RESCUE

Roskam-directed crime drama announces two new additions.

Variety is hearing that James Gandolfini (‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ ‘Killing Them Softly’) has entered into talks to join Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and Matthias Schoenaerts for the crime drama ‘Animal Rescue.’

With ‘Bullhead’ helmer Michael R. Roskam directing, the drama is based on a short story by Dennis Lehane and follows a lonely Boston bartender who rescues a puppy from a garbage can and becomes the target of the dog’s abusive and mentally unstable former owner, while simultaneously getting caught in the middle of a criminal conspiracy playing out in his mob-controlled bar.

The trade also has word that Australian actor James Frecheville (‘Two Mothers,’ ‘Animal Kingdom’) is also set to join the cast the drama.