Marvel actor Jeremy Renner is set to star in a movie about the journalist who uncovered the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma’s role in the US opioid epidemic.
According to Deadline, the Hawkeye actor will take on the role of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist David Armstrong in a movie that’s currently being sold at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Opioid Epidemic
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies, in the US, reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers so people were ultimately prescribed them at greater rates. However, thousands of people became addicted and it’s thought over 40,000 deaths have been linked to the opioids like OxyContin.
Armstrong then worked for four years investigating the crisis and discovered evidence suggesting members of the Sackler family knew and supported Purdue Pharma in the concealment of the strength and addiction risks of the drugs in order to maximise their profits.
He discovered thousands of Americans have died from a painkiller-related overdose and the Sackler family, who’ve made billions from their investments, are still trying to find their way out of accepting responsibility.
Infusing Integrity Into The Role
The movie, which currently has no working title, will not only star the two-time Oscar nominee as Armstrong but will be written and directed by husband-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (the couple behind Beneath The Harvest Sky and Queenpins) and produced by Hell or High Water producer Julie Yorn alongside Patrick Walmsley from Expanded Media/LBI Entertainment and 101 Studios’ David C. Glasser will produce. David Hutkin, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari will executive produce for 101 Studios.
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As for plot details they’re all currently being kept under wraps but Armstrong himself said he is ‘gratified that a movie audience will learn of the story behind this crisis, which has ruined so many lives’.
He said: ‘I am impressed with the vision Gita and Aron have for making this film and thrilled that an actor of Jeremy’s talent and ability will be a major part of telling this story.’
On Renner playing Armstrong one of the movie’s directors, Pullapilly, said: ‘The real David Armstrong is a man of utmost integrity. We could not be more thrilled to have Jeremy on board to infuse that same integrity into his portrayal of David. We’re excited to work with such a great team to bring this story to a global audience.’