Boston Marathon Bombing Film Lands 'Gambit' Writer (Exclusive)

The project is moving forward at the same time that the trial of accused bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev plays out in Boston.

20th Century Fox has enlisted RoboCop writer Joshua Zetumer to write the latest draft of Boston Strong.

The film is based on Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge’s nonfiction book of the same name, which chronicles the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.

The Fighter writers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy wrote the previous draft of the screenplay that piqued Fox's interest enough to bite. The studio picked up the project in November and attached Safe House helmer Daniel Espinosa to direct. The studio is now turning to Zetumer, who is already working with Fox on X-Men spinoff Gambit as a star vehicle for Channing Tatum, to pen the rewrite.

The Boston Strong project is moving forward at the same time that the trial of accused bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev plays out in Boston. He is facing the death penalty if convicted of carrying out twin bombings with his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev that killed three and wounded dozens more. It is considered the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.

The hunt for the bombers, which serves as the basis of the story, culminated in a wild night in Boston that left an MIT policeman dead as well as the elder Tsarnaev.

The title comes from the expression "Boston Strong" that was coined in the aftermath of the attack to describe the fortitude of the city's residents. The motto quickly became a popular hashtag and was emblazoned on sweatshirts, bumper stickers and banners.

Dorothy Aufiero is producing the film with Hutch Parker. Johnson and Tamasy will also produce.

Zetumer is repped by UTA and Management 360.