Emily Blunt is in negotiations to co-star in Rupert Friend’s feature directorial debut Barton & Charlie & Checco & Bill. Pic is being co-financed by Bron Studios and Fortitude International along with Creative Wealth Media Finance. Friend, who will also star, wrote the script and will produce alongside Aaron L. Gilbert of Bron Studios and Margot Hand. Both Friend and Blunt previously starred together as Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in The Young Victoria. Fortitude’s Nadine de Barros and Robert Ogden Barnum and Creative Wealth’s Jason Cloth are executive producers. Barton & Charlie & Checco & Bill is currently schedule to begin principal photography this spring.

Fortitude’s co-principal Nadine de Barros and vp of international Katie Irwin are handling sales at the American Film Market while CAA packaged and is handling domestic rights.

The film follows a down-on-his-luck con-artist who meets a woman who he offers to teach the tricks of his trade. She turns the tables on him and they embark on a road trip, along with a 10-year old Mexican boy, where they are pursued a Confederate newspaper mogul, Bill.

Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt will be seen this Christmas in Disney’s film adaptation of Into the Woods. She recently appeared opposite Tom Cruise in the summer blockbuster, Edge of Tomorrow. Friend, who many know from Showtime‘s Homeland will play the title role in Fox’s summer title Hitman: Agent 47.

Fortitude International, the sales and financing venture launched earlier this year by de Barros, Robert Ogden Barnum, and Daniel Wagner, is currently handling sales on Urge with Pierce Brosnan, The End of the Tour with Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segal, cop drama Daughter of God with Keanu Reeves, and Vincent-n-Roxxy starring Emile Hirsch and Zoë Kravitz.