Actors Jared Leto and Chris Evans are being strongly considered for the DreamWorks film adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ novel The Girl on the Train. The best-selling novel follows a woman who has just gone through a tumultuous divorce, but she finds relish in her train commute. She observes a married couple from afar on her way to work, envisioning that they live a perfect romantic life, but then she finds herself tied into a strange mystery involving this couple.
The Girl on the Train already has a trio of actresses firmly attached to it: Emily Blunt will star in it, and Rebecca Ferguson and Haley Bennett will have supporting roles. If Evans and Leto do sign on to the film, then they would play the husbands of Ferguson and Bennett’s characters, respectively. The film will be directed by Tate Taylor, and the script was written by Cressida Wilson. Marc Platt will act as producer, and Jared LeBoff will be the executive producer.
The success of the book has made DreamWorks give top priority to this project. In the wake of the critical and commercial success of the film adaptation of Gone Girl (another best-selling mystery novel that was written by a woman), it makes sense that studios would be looking to make a film that would draw a similar audience. Jared Leto and Chris Evans should also prove to be huge draws, as they both are arguably at the height of their careers right now.
Leto returned to acting a few years ago after a lengthy hiatus (he worked extensively with his band 30 Seconds to Mars for much of the aughts), and he quickly won an oscar for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. He’ll also be making his entrance into comic book films next year, when he’ll be taking on the role of DC Comics villain The Joker in Suicide Squad. Chris Evans has already become a household name for his mark on the world of costumed heroes with his portrayal of Captain America, but he has also appeared in more low-key dramas. Last year, he made his directorial debut with Before We Go, and he also starred in the well-received sci-fi action film Snowpiercer.