Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Tom Hardy in the Jo Nesbo film “Blood On Snow”

EXCLUSIVE: Aaron Taylor-Johnson (High-speed train), Tom Hardy (Poison) and director Cary Fukunaga (No time to die) are working together for the crime adaptation of Jo Nesbo, Blood on snowwhich will likely be the highest pre-sale title at TIFF for WME Independent and Range.

Nesbø is writing the screenplay for the project (with revisions by Ben Power); it is based on his best-selling novel of the same name.

The exciting story takes place in Oslo in the 1970s, where two rival gang leaders – Hoffman and the fisherman (hardy) – compete for control.

It is a rare appearance as a screenwriter for the acclaimed Norwegian author, whose books have been adapted into numerous successful films and television series. Filming is scheduled to begin later this year.

The synopsis reads: “Hoffman’s reliable assassin Olav (Johnson), is a cold-blooded, efficient killer, perfect for the job. But beneath his ruthless facade lies an unexpected intelligence and an unshakable moral code shaped by a complicated childhood… When Hoffman orders the murder of his own wife, Olav's principles clash with his loyalty. Rather than pull the trigger, he hatches a plan that makes him Hoffman's next target, and with nowhere safe to turn, Olav forms an uneasy alliance that puts him at the center of Oslo's deadly gang war. Once a violent enforcer, Olav's decision makes him an unlikely hero in a world where no good deed goes unpunished.”

Hardy, who plays a supporting role in the film, and Dean Baker will produce the project under their banner Hardy Son & Baker along with Fukunaga, Nesbø, Niclas Salomonsson and Hayden Lautenbach.

Mike Larocca and Michael Schaefer will also produce under the banner of Department M, which will also fully finance the film. The film is executive produced by Tallulah Fairfax of Hardy Son & Baker, along with Damiano Tucci, Sophia Banks and Tiziano Tucci.

WME Independent represents the domestic rights together with Range Media. WME Independent takes care of the international rights.

Taylor-Johnson – apparently the last name speculated about in the tabloid press for Bond – has Kraven the Hunter, Nosferatu And 28 years later forthcoming. Hardy has Venom: The Last Dance will be released next month.

True Detective And Beasts without a nation Director Fukunaga was most recently involved in a high-budget Apple series Master of the Air. His last film was Bond pic No time to die in 2021, which grossed $775 million worldwide. Between 2021 and 2022, reports from several women surfaced about alleged inappropriate behavior by the filmmaker, but he subsequently filmed the big-budget Apple series.

Taylor-Johnson is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Sloane, Offer. Hardy is repped by Range Media, United Agents and Sloane, Offer. Fukunaga is repped by WME, Sugar23 and Lichter, Grossman. Nesbø is repped by Salomonsson Agency, WME and Christopher Tricarico. Hardy Son & Baker is repped by Range Media, CAA and Sloane, Offer.