In spite of his obvious superstar status,
Samuel L. Jackson has never been afraid of slumming it with a small budget independent flick, especially if the script is in tune with the actors somewhat quirky sensibilities. His next film is indicative of these less than avaricious tendencies as he was confirmed recently to be starring in
The Samaritan, an Indie thriller co-written and directed by long-time television film maker
David Weaver. This film now appears to be gaining momentum as it was confirmed by
Variety yesterday that esteemed English actor
Tom Wilkinson has joined the cast. Wilkinson is exactly the sort of name one might expect from Jacksons independent productions: not hugely bankable, but still an outstanding reputation in dramatic circles both on stage and screen. Wilkinson is an Academy Award nominee, but his most affecting role was as Lord Queensbury, father of Lord Alfred Bosie Douglas and nemesis of Oscar Wilde in Wilde starring Stephen Fry, in which he was similairly mesmeric yet appalling. Channeling his supporting role as Carmine Falcone in Batman Begins, Wilkinson will portray a crime-lord in The Samaritan in which Jackson stars as former grafter and gaol-bird looking to go straight after two decades of incarceration. Shooting will take place in Brazil and Canada. A theatrical release is pencilled in for early 2012 and North American distribution will be in the hands of Anonymous Content.