Barry Keoghan set to star in new crime flick alongside Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo

Reports suggest the Saltburn actor is in negotiations to join an adaptation of author Don Winslow’s novella Crime 101.

The film has been written and will be directed by Bart Layton, who worked with the Dubliner on the 2018 film, American Animals.

While plot details are yet to be revealed, Winslow’s original story sees Detective Lou Lubesnick investigating a string of jewel heists across the Pacific Coast that are linked with the Colombian cartels.

“Detective Lou Lubesnick has other ideas, and he zeroes in on one perp, a thief looking for a final score,” Deadline reports.

Marvel duo Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo were confirmed to be leading the project earlier this month, after Pedro Pascal dropped out due to scheduling.

Keoghan’s latest film, the Andrea Arnold-directed Bird, recently received its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a seven-minute standing ovation at the Grand Lumiere Theatre.

Barry paid tribute to his late mum on the Friday of the festival when he wore a silver bracelet with her name, Debbie, engraved onto it.

The 31-year-old’s mother died over 19 years ago from a heroin overdose.

He and his brother then spent time in 13 foster homes before being taken in by his grandmother and aunt.

Barry previously opened up about the loss of his mother, telling GQ Magazine: “My mother, always. She’s many years passed now, but I always think about her anyway.”

“It’s always just in and around achievements that it’s really prominent cause you’d like to celebrate that with her you know?.”

The film, which also stars Franz Rogowski, Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda, follows a 12-year-old (Adams) who lives with her brother (Buda) and single dad (Keoghan) in a squat in North Kent.

Barry, who is dating Sabrina Carpenter, is a father himself, sharing his almost two-year-old son with his ex, Alyson Sandro.

Following the film’s premiere at Cannes, first reviewers praised Barry’s performance.

Film journalist Alex Billington tweeted: “Finally, finally, finally, a director actually pushes Barry Keoghan to give a performance unlike everything he’s done before. This is what great filmmakers can do with real talent!! Such a relief.”

Barry also recently explained why he left the cast of Gladiator 2 after reports claimed that the Irishman had chosen to commit to his latest movie Bird instead.

“I am a massive fan of Gladiator and a massive fan of that cast. It’s a shame you can’t do both. But that happens in this game. You can’t do both. It always happens. Shooting in two different countries as well makes it really difficult,” he told IndieWire.

White Lotus star Fred Hechinger has replaced Keoghan in the role of Emperor Geta in Gladiator 2. Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen will also feature in the film.