James Van Der Beek is in talks to join Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin in Jason Reitman's drama Labor Day. Child star Gattlin Griffith and Brighid Fleming have also been cast to play key roles.

The drama follows a depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry, who offer a wounded man a ride. As police search the town for an escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true identity as their options become increasingly limited.

James Van Der Beek will play a police officer investigating a missing person's case. Jason Reitman wrote the script, which is adapted from the Joyce Maynard novel. Helen Estabrook, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith are producing.