Edge of Tomorrow helmer Doug Liman and Amazon Pictures’ Black List thriller The Wall has today added Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Godzilla, Avengers: Age of Ultron) to its ranks, according to Variety.
Pitched as a “deadly cat and mouse thriller” between an American sharpshooter and a deadly Iraq sniper, Liman’s latest inevitably draws comparisons to Clint Eastwood’s award-winning American Sniper, though the outlet notes that the feature is a much more focused affair. Pinned down by a heap of rubble – hence the title – The Wall has all the makings of a pulse-pounding thriller, rooting the audience in a single location for much of its running time.
Based on Dwain Worrell’s original screenplay, which first surfaced on Hollywood’s famed Black List two years ago, The Wall is now poised to become Amazon’s first original feature film, as the online giant looks to strengthen its creative output in the face of heated competition (read: Netflix).
Neither Amazon of Taylor-Johnson offered an official statement in response to the casting coup. Variety, however, reveals that the actor impressed Doug Liman after a handful of meetings, eventually nabbing the coveted lead role. Plus, Liman, who has witnessed the long-gestating Gambit spinoff be bumped into 2017, will likely remain attached to the wartime drama in a producing capacity.
As for Aaron Taylor-Johnson, before scaling The Wall, the actor can next be seen in awards-tipped drama Nocturnal Animals, rubbing shoulders with Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon and Batman V Superman‘s Amy Adams.