“Contraband” thesp Ben Foster is attached to star in writer-director Adam Rapp’s indie drama “Red Light Winter,” which Parts & Labor principals Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen are producing with Scott Rudin.

Based on Rapp’s bleak play of the same name, story follows two male friends who travel from New York to Amsterdam and become caught up in a love triangle with a prostitute, bringing to the surface dark undercurrents in their troubled friendship.

“Bachelorette” star Kirsten Dunst is attached to play the sex worker, while Katherine Waterston (“The Babysitters”) is set to co-star as another woman who shares a romantic past with both men.

Mark Ruffalo and Billy Crudup were previously attached to star, though Foster’s attachment gives new momentum to the pic, which producers are now aiming to start shooting in December or January. Foster is replacing Ruffalo as an anxious emerging writer, while Crudup’s vacated role remains uncast.

In February, Parts & Labor announced it would be producing Foster’s directorial debut along with his “Rampart” helmer Oren Moverman. Thesp, who also worked with Parts & Labor on Braden King’s “Here,” recently wrapped its latest pic, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” which also stars Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck.

Foster, who recently co-starred alongside Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale in Universal’s action-thriller “Contraband,” will soon reteam with Wahlberg on Peter Berg’s “Lone Survivor,” which starts filming next month. Thesp will next be seen playing William Burroughs alongside Daniel Radcliffe’s Allen Ginsberg in John Krokidas’ indie “Kill Your Darlings.”

Foster is repped by WME, Ken Jacobson Management and attorney Eric Suddleson.

By Jeff Sneider, variety.com