It was only last week that we learned that Aaron Sorkin was dusting off his old script for The Trial of the Chicago 7 as his next directorial effort, but the cast is already coming together. Last week’s announcement was accompanied by the news that Sacha Baron Cohen is in early talks to play Abbie Hoffman in the true-story drama, and now Variety reports that Eddie Redmayne is also in early talks to speak Sorkinese onscreen.

The film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The trial transfixed the nation and sparked a conversation about mayhem intended to undermine the U.S. government.

Warner Bros. is looking to shoot Fantastic Beasts 3 next July or so, which means Sorkin’s Trial of the Chicago 7 will likely get before cameras sometime early next year. Indeed, Variety says Redmayne was looking for something “prestige level” as his next project before heading back for Fantastic Beasts 3. He recently completed shooting the Amazon Studios drama The Aeronauts opposite Felicity Jones.

Sorkin initially wrote the screenplay over a decade ago for Steven Spielberg to direct, and while Spielberg moved on to other projects, after seeing Molly’s Game he decided Sorkin should direct the script himself for Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.

Sorkin is apparently looking for A-list talent for what’s sure to be a big ensemble, so the Oscar-winning Redmayne is likely just the beginning. As a huge fan of Sorkin’s work, I’m beyond eager to see him tackle a story that combines his penchant for courtroom drama (A Few Good Men) with his talent for politics (The West Wing). Stay tuned on this one.

via Collider