Colin Farrell didn’t score an Oscar nomination this year for “In Bruges” — but he did score a movie deal with an Oscar nominee. Variety reports that Farrell and Keira Knightley will be starring in the independent crime drama “London Boulevard.” The film marks the directorial debut of screenwriter William Monahan (”The Departed”), who is really the go-to guy when it comes to crime thrillers.

Based on Ken Bruen’s well-reviewed thriller, “London” will see Farrell playing the sort of part he’s best at — a South London criminal, fresh out of prison, who is trying to live the straight life. He gets a job as a handyman for a reclusive young actress. Naturally, he can’t quite escape his violent past, and of course it will threaten his new life and love affair — and he’ll respond to the thugs and criminals of his circle with a terrible form of revenge.

The film begins shooting in London this summer, leaving very little breathing room for either young actor. Fresh off his Golden Globe win, Farrell is set to begin shooting “The Way Back” with Peter Weir in March, and Knightley will soon be playing Zelda Fitzgerald in “The Beautiful and the Damned.” I have to say, I think they’ll make a gorgeous couple onscreen — and it will be a relief to see Knightley in something other than a corset.

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