Ejiofor, Affleck and Jordan line up for Triple Nine

John Hillcoat is reportedly looking for a stellar line-up for his new crime drama, Triple Nine.

The Lawless director is in talks with 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck and Michael B Jordan to join the cast, according to The Wrap.

[Brits rake in Golden Globe nods]

The film, which already has Christoph Waltz and Cate Blanchett attached, tells the story of a group of thieves who decide to draw attention away from a heist by killing a young LAPD officer in a different part of town.

Affleck is apparently in negotiations to play the unfortunate cop, replacing Charlie Hunnam who had previously been cast in the role. Ejiofor is thought to be being considered for the criminal mastermind plotting the heist, while Jordan is looking at the role of Affleck's turncoat LAPD colleague, who sets up his partner in exchange for a cut of the take.

Production on the Mark Cook-penned project is set to begin next year.

In the meantime, Ejiofor is expected to clean up during awards season, courtesy of his performance in 12 Years a Slave.