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Fresh off his Golden Globe-winning turn in Nocturnal Animals, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is in negotiations to join Chris Pine in David Mackenzie’s Netflix movie OUTLAW KING, the Tracking Board has confirmed.

Pine will play Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who led his country to freedom from the oppressive rule of England in the early 14th century. Taylor-Johnson is making a deal to play his loyal aide and chief adviser, a storied knight named James Douglas who was desperate to avenge the loss of his father’s land. Ben Foster was previously in talks for the role.

Outlaw King won’t just be about ransacking castles, as the script is said to feature a prominent love story between Robert the Bruce and his Queen, Elizabeth de Burgh. Scottish warrior William Wallace (yes, the one from Braveheart) will also make an appearance.

Mackenzie wrote the film, which will be produced by Steve Golin and Richard Brown of Anonymous Content, as well as Gillian Berrie of Sigma Films.

While Mackenzie previously flirted with the Scarface remake at Universal and has met with the James Bond producers to discuss the possibility of directing the next 007 movie, he’s focused on making his next movie for Netflix. The streaming service was eager to be in business with the Scottish filmmaker in the wake of his Best Picture nominee Hell or High Water, and Outlaw King is said to be a true passion project for the fast-rising director.

Taylor-Johnson was excellent in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals, and frankly, he deserved an Oscar nomination over his co-star in that film, Michael Shannon. The young British actor most recently starred in Doug Liman’s The Wall. He’s represented by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and his casting was first reported by Deadline.

Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief