Baumbach and Gere looking at The Emperor’s Children

Greenberg director Noah Baumbach is circling, along with Richard Gere over the project The Emperor’s Children for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, says The Wrap. Ron Howard was originally attached to the project, but due to some sort of circumstance now it’s open for Baumbach to take. The story is based off of a novel written by Claire Messud.

There is beautiful, sophisticated Marina Thwaite — an “It” girl finishing her first book; the daughter of Murray Thwaite, celebrated intellectual and journalist — and her two closest friends from Brown, Danielle, a quietly appealing television producer, and Julius, a cash-strapped freelance critic. The delicious complications that arise among them become dangerous when Murray’s nephew, Frederick “Bootie” Tubb, an idealistic college dropout determined to make his mark, comes to town. As the skies darken, it is Bootie’s unexpected decisions — and their stunning, heartbreaking outcome — that will change each of their lives forever.

If Gere does climb onboard this picture, he would be taking on a supporting role. Producing the film so far is Brian Grazer for Imagine Entertainment with a yet to be specified release date from the studio.