Paul Dano is Karl Rove in COLLEGE REPUBLICANS, Richard Linklater Set to Direct

While word has been quiet on College Republicans, the film that tells the story of Karl Rove’s dirty campaign for College Republican chairman, for a quite some time now, the project is moving forward in a big way. The Wrap reports that not only is Paul Dano set to play Rove, but Richard Linklater is now officially attached to direct. Shia LaBeouf had previously been interested in playing Rove, but it looks like Dano ultimately took the role. No word on whether or not LaBeouf will be taking on a different part.

Maya Browne will be producing the film through her Bratt Entertainment. She says the flick centers on the meeting and subsequent relationship between Rove and Lee Atwater in college, where they discovered “dirty tricks” for campaigning. Atwater went on to become chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Rove (aka Turd Blossom) was of course the senior advisor for President George W. Bush. Linklater always makes interesting choices, and Dano certainly has chops, so it’s exciting to see them tackle this material. College Republicans begins shooting this November in Austin, Texas.