Timothée Chalamet in Talks to Lead James Mangold’s New Heist Thriller

Hollywood is talking about a project called High Side, and it could bring Timothée Chalamet and director James Mangold back together again. The two recently worked on A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan film that earned eight Oscar nominations, and now they might reunite for this new high-speed heist thriller.

According to industry sources, High Side is based on an unpublished short story by Jaime Oliveira. Chernin Entertainment is set to produce, and Sugar23, which represents Oliveira, is shopping the pitch around. The story isn’t just getting attention in Hollywood—it’s also making noise in the publishing world.

High Side centers on Billy, a former MotoGP racer who walked away from the sport after a devastating crash. Haunted by his career’s sudden end and a family history filled with abandonment, Billy has been looking after his addict father and running the family garage. But life takes a sharp turn when his estranged brother Cole shows up right after their father’s death.

Cole is already in trouble with the FBI, and he has a plan that’s as dangerous as it is tempting—robbing banks on superbikes.

Billy’s skills on a motorcycle make him the perfect partner for the job. At first, the crew focuses on small-town desert banks, moving in and out with speed and precision. Cole’s team is an odd mix of people, including a woman who becomes romantically involved with Billy. But as their heists grow bolder, so does the danger.

Closing in on them is Lennox, an FBI agent who has a complicated past with Cole. The tension builds as the crew prepares for their biggest score yet, a bank robbery timed to happen during a massive motorcycle parade. The story promises high-speed chases, big stunts, and plenty of emotional twists along the way.

If Chalamet signs on, the role will give him a chance to mix adrenaline-fueled action with dramatic, emotional depth. Mangold, known for films that balance heart and intensity, seems like a natural fit for the material. One source close to the project described it as, “a mix of speed, danger, and heart that’s going to stick with audiences long after the credits roll.”

Chalamet already has a packed schedule ahead. He’s set to return as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Three, which will wrap up the sci-fi trilogy, and he’s also in post-production on Marty Supreme. Still, High Side has all the ingredients to be one of his most exciting roles yet if the deal comes together.

Right now, it’s still early days, but the buzz suggests this could become one of the most talked-about heist thrillers in years—especially with Chalamet and Mangold potentially back at it together.

News brought by Deadline.

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