J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) has joined the Luc Besson-produced action movie, The Lake, which will star Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of an Empire). Also joining the film are Charlie Bewley (Like Crazy) and Diarmaid Murtagh (The Monuments Men), who, along with Stapleton, will play a group of Navy SEALs who discover a sunken treasure in a Siberian lake. Simmons will play their boss, with Steven Quale (Into The Storm) taking on directing duties.
Simmons, who is hot off his Oscar win for playing the jazz teacher with questionable motives in Whiplash, is using his new recognition to full effect. Last year he signed on to the new King Kong prequel Skull Island. He also has a role in the upcoming reboot/sequel, Terminator Genisys.
Bewley and Muragh, on the other hand, are both looking to build their resumes after minor roles in a few notable pictures. The Lake is already set to be the most expensive endeavor for Besson’s EuropaCorp, which recently had success with Lucy and Taken 3. The Lake will, of course, include some on-water shooting. Quale’s past experience includes working with James Cameron on The Abyss and Titanic. EuropaCorp is also hoping to match the success of their past two releases with the upcoming Transporter Refueled.
The Lake is currently set for a 2016 release.