March 28, 2007 - Forest Whitaker, fresh off his Academy Award-winning portrayal of dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, may take on a starring role in the dramatic movie The Night Watchman*. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Night Watchman is based on writer James Ellroy's original idea.
Keanu Reeves has already secured the lead role of a Los Angeles police officer who hits the bottle after his wife's death and who is accused of playing a part in an officer's execution. If the deal goes through, Whitaker would play Reeves' former mentor.
Harsh Times director David Ayer is onboard to helm the film for Fox Searchlight. The studio is planning on gearing up production on The Night Watchman in late May.
Forest Whitaker will next be seen in Vantage Point alongside Matthew Fox and Dennis Quaid. Reeves' last film was the time traveling romantic drama The Lake House which reunited the actor with his Speed co-star Sandra Bullock.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
* - The Night Watchman was renamed Street Kings.
