Bounced around development after “Boardwalk Empire” writer Margaret Nagle turned in a buzzworthy script, the based-on-true-events drama “The Good Lie” is finally making its way to fruition, and with some further pedigree attached. “Monsieur Lazhar” director Philippe Falardeau will helm the pic with Reese Witherspoon in the lead, and now you can count two more noteworthy names toward the cast.
Corey Stoll, fresh off an excellent turn as Congressman Peter Russo on “House of Cards,” has joined actress Sarah Baker (“The Campaign”) as the newest additions to the drama, which follows a young Sudanese refugee (Arnold Oceng) who, alongside three other boys, wins a chance for relocation to the U.S. While Baker’s part has not yet been announced, Stoll will play the head of the employment agency set on helping the Sudanese boys in the States.
Falardeau has also placed a host of new faces to play the Sudanese refugees — Ger Duany, a former Lost Boy himself who emigrated to the U.S., and the ex-child-soldier-turned-musician Emmanuel Jal — alongside Witherspoon, who plays the American assigned to assist the boys overseas. The ingredients are certainly there for an intelligent, moving film, so let’s hope Falardeau sidesteps any broad-strokes storytelling to deliver a success on par with his previous effort. [Deadline]
