“Kill Your Darlings” stars to reunite for “College Republicans” comedy

PanARMENIAN.Net - The team behind “Kill Your Darlings” is planning a reunion in another collegiate setting, as Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan are attached to star as Lee Atwater and Karl Rove, respectively, in John Krokidas’ sophomore feature “College Republicans,” multiple individuals familiar with the indie project have told TheWrap, the entertainment news agency said.

A representative for the “Harry Potter” star denied that he was attached to the project, saying it’s one of several roles Radcliffe is considering. A representative for DeHaan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wes Jones wrote the script, which topped The Black List in 2010 and received more votes than the original screenplays for “Argo,” “American Hustle” and “Margin Call,” all of which received Oscar nominations.

Based on true events from 1973, the story finds aspiring politician Karl Rove (DeHaan) running a dirty campaign for national College Republican Chairman under the guidance of campaign manager Lee Atwater (Radcliffe). The duo take a spirited road trip to drum up support for Rove’s candidacy.

While it deals in serious politics, the light-hearted buddy comedy could serve as a quasi-origin story for the modern political campaign and the byzantine strategies that are often employed today.

Bruce Cohen (“Silver Linings Playbook”) will produce with Circle of Confusion, which manages both Krokidas and Jones. The producers are currently in the process of arranging financing for the project, which the actors aim to shoot in November, their schedules permitting.

Shia LaBeouf and Paul Dano were circling a previous incarnation of the project when it was set up at Anonymous Content.

Radcliffe, who played Allen Ginsberg in “Kill Your Darlings,” has “Horns” and the romantic comedy “If You’re Lucky” (formerly “The F Word”) on the horizon. He recently wrapped the role of Igor in “Frankenstein,” and is attached to star in several percolating indie projects, including “Brooklyn Bridge,” “Tokyo Vice” and “Gold.”

DeHaan, who played Lucien Carr in “Kill Your Darlings,” will soon be seen as Harry Osborn in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” The actor’s zombie comedy “Life After Beth” was recently acquired at Sundance, and he also has the West Memphis 3 drama “Devil’s Knot” awaiting release. DeHaan is also attached to play James Dean opposite Robert Pattinson in Anton Corbijn’s “Life.”

Krokidas wrote, directed and produced “Kill Your Darlings,” and while the period film didn’t light the box office on fire, it was well liked by critics, boasting a 77% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.