Matt Damon to star as Oklahoma-native in STILLWATER film

Earlier this summer the internet was abuzz after Oscar-winners Matt Damon and director Tom McCarthy were spotted in Oklahoma City and Stillwater, but despite many's best efforts there was no information available in the Hollywood trades or on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) on what project they could be scouting for.

Last night, July 18, Variety reported exclusively that their project would be titled STILLWATER and star Damon as Bill, an American oil-rig rough neck from Oklahoma, who travels to Marseille, France to visit his estranged daughter who is in prison for a murder she claims she did not commit.

"Confronted with language barriers, cultural differences, and a complicated legal system, Bill makes it his personal mission to exonerate his daughter. In the process, he develops a friendship with a local woman and her young daughter and embarks on a personal journey of discovery and a larger sense of belonging in the world."

This is big news for our sleepy state, where the last "major" film that was shot here was the incredible AUGUST, OSAGE COUNTY back in 2012-2013. While it isn't "confirmed" in the official report that the movie will be shot here, it is safe to assume that McCarthy and Damon were scouting for a reason.

Tom McCarthy is co-writing the script for STILLWATER with French screenwriter Thomas Bidegain who recently wrote the Indie western-drama THE SISTERS BROTHERS, as well as Noé Debré.

Participant CEO David Linde said in the Variety report: “This is a wonderful script, centered on universal themes of connection and the search for truth, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring it to audiences around the world.”

McCarthy is best known for directing THE COBBLER and SPOTLIGHT, and it appears STILLWATER is being touted as an Awards season player which means we might see our lovely state at The Oscars if the film is as successful and powerful as it is being described as.
Matt Damon, of course, is a major Hollywood A-lister and can next be seen in the FORD v FERRARI film this November as Caroll Shelby opposite Christian Bale.

The Blackwell Journal-Tribune has reached out to Participant Media who are producing and financing the film for potential interviews and releases as the film ramps up production.