Kirsten Dunst scored one of her most acclaimed roles recently in Civil War, reminding others how good she can be when given the right material to work with. Dunst has landed another role with similar potential as Deadline reports she’ll join Channing Tatum in Roofman, the true crime film from writer/director Derek Cianfrance.
Roofman is based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, an eccentric serial robber and former U.S. Army Reserve Officer who robbed 60 McDonald’s restaurants at night via the rooftops, earning the nickname “Roofman” and “Rooftop Robber.” Eventually captured and convicted in 2000, Manchester broke free and went on the run, holing up for months in a Toys ‘R Us and Circuit City store until recaptured after his fingerprints were found on a Catch Me If You Can DVD.
The film will center on Manchester’s time in hiding, with Dunst playing a struggling mother and Toys ‘R Us employee who has no idea he has been watching and falling in love with her. She eventually grows to care for him, even after learning the truth.
Cianfrance co-wrote the script with Kirt Gunn. This is his fourth film after breakthrough dramas Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines, and The Light Between Oceans. He also co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Sound of Metal.
Who knows? By the time Roofman comes around we could be talking about Dunst as an Oscar winner. The buzz for her this awards season for her portrayal of war photojournalist Lee Smith in Civil War is growing.
