Clive Owen Signs for "The Boys Are Back"

When I think of Clive Owen, I usually think of tough-guy films — The Bourne Identity, Sin City (and upcoming sequel), Derailed, Shoot ‘Em Up, Inside Man (and upcoming sequel), and Duplicity (2009 release).

Then again, he played Sir Walter Raleigh in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, so he’s definitely done some varied work over the years.

Now he’s set to star in The Boys Are Back, for which Miramax just acquired North American and Western European rights. It’s an adaptation of Simon Carr’s novel, and Owen plays a widow struggling to raise his two sons. Laura Fraser and Emma Booth also star, with Scott Hicks directing.

“I had been wanting to continue the relationship with Scott Hicks I had started so long ago on Shine,” said Miramax president Daniel Battsek. “Once Clive signed on, all of the pieces fell into place.”

Principal photography begins today in Australia.

Image: Duplicity, Universal Pictures, 2009