Matthew McConaughey to star in indie drama “White Boy Rick”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Matthew McConaughey is in negotiations to star in the independent drug-deal drama “White Boy Rick”, Variety reveals.

Yann Demange (“71”) is directing from a Black List script by Logan Miller and Noah Miller. Studio 8 bought the script last year.

“White Boy Rick” is based on the true story of Richard Wershe Jr., the only successful white boy gangster/drug kingpin in an African American dominated 1980’s Detroit ghetto. Wershe received a mandatory life sentence after being caught with 17 pounds of cocaine in 1987. He was 17 at the time.

If McConaughey ‘s deal goes through, he would play Werhse’s father, who was a salesman. Wershe’s role has not yet been cast. Producers are planning to shoot in Michigan and Ohio in March.

John Lesher is producing through his LBI Entertainment, which has a first-look deal with Studio 8. Studio 8’s Jon Silk will also produce with Darren Aronofsky and Scott Franklin through their Protozoa Pictures company. Silk brought the project in to Studio 8.

McConaughey will be seen next as a modern-day prosector in the comedy-drama “Gold.” He won a Best Acting Oscar for “Dallas Buyers Club.”

The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.