Back in February, we reported that Akiva Goldsman is making his directorial debut with Winter's Tale for Warner Bros. Today we have news that Russell Crowe is loosely attached to portray the villain.

The story, based on Mark Halprin's novel, takes place in both the beginning and the end of the 20th century and centers on Peter Lake, a burglar who robs an Irish heiress and begins to fall for her as she dies in his arms. He comes to learn he has the gift of reincarnation, and is determined to save her.

Tom Hiddleston and Benjamin Walker are reading for another role of a criminal on the run. Elizabeth Olsen, Bella Heathcote, Gabriele Wilde, and Sarah Gadon are reading for the terminally ill woman.

It isn't known when production will begin on Winter's Tale.