Oppenheimer Strategies has found one of its leading men in Richard Gere, who has signed onto this independent thriller for writer and director Joseph Cedar (Footnote).

The project is coming together fairly quickly, and will follow a man named Norman Oppenheimer. Known as a small-time operator, Norman befriends a young politician who finds himself at a lonely and very low point in his life. This young man goes onto become a powerful world leader in the years to follow, which sets up a series of complications for Norman. Three years after their initial meeting, Oppenheimer's life begins to change drastically for both the good and the bad.

Oppenheimer Strategies is set for a January 12 start date in New York. Tadmor Entertainment Group, Fabrica de Cine and Cold Iron Pictures will handle financing. Oren Moverman, Lawrence Inglee, Eyal Rimmon, Gideon Tadmor, Gaston Pavlovich and Miranda Bailey are all on board as producers, with Matt Malek and Amanda Marshall serving as executives.

Richard Gere just finished shooting Time Out of Mind, which is directed by Oren Moverman. He will also be seen in the sequel The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which hits theaters in 2015.