Jeremy Renner is set to star as journalist David Armstrong in an as-of-yet untitled film based on the true story of Armstrong’s work uncovering secrets about the opioid epidemic.
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The film will see Renner take on the role of the journalist who helped uncover various secrets about the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma’s role in the rampant spread of the addictive painkiller OxyContin. It is written and directed by award-winning filmmakers and husband-wife duo Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (Beneath the Harvest Sky, Queenpins).
Armstrong’s real-life uncovering of secret e-mails and documents helped pull the curtains back on the Sackler family’s support of Purdue Pharma’s concealment of OxyContin’s potential addiction and strength risk in order to make more money off the sale of the drugs. Currently, the drama surrounding the family and Purdue Pharma is ongoing, as various lawsuits continue to unwind.
“I am gratified that a movie audience will learn of the story behind this crisis, which has ruined so many lives,” says the real-life David Armstrong. “I am impressed with the vision Gita and Aron have for making this film and thrilled that an actor of Jeremy’s talent and ability will be a major part of telling this story.”
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This marks the second project dedicated to the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma in as many years, as 2021 saw the Hulu limited series Dopesick premiere that focused on the story as well.