Director Brian Kirk flies to 'Paper Wings'

Brian Kirk, the "Game of Thrones" helmer who's in talks to direct "Thor 2," is also in negotiations to take the reins of Sony's rodeo pic "Paper Wings," which Overbrook Entertainment and Temple Hill Entertainment are teaming to produce.Les Bohem-scripted pic follows a rodeo champ who falls for an up-and-coming country singer.Prior to Kirk's attachment, there hadn't been any movement on the long-gestating project since last summer, when Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith performed a table read at the Saddle Ranch Chop House in Hollywood.While there are no actors officially attached, sources tell Variety that Cruise had a hand in selecting Kirk for the gig and will work with the helmer to develop the script.Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing for Temple Hill, while Overbrook's principals include Will Smith, James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ken Stovitz, who is running point on the project.Bohem and Bowen developed the romance story after meeting at the 2005 Nashville Screenwriters Conference. Charles Stone was previously attached to direct "Paper Wings" when it was set up at New Line back in 2006.Kirk will make his studio debut with Marvel's "Thor 2," which Disney will release on July 26, 2013. Irish filmmaker has directed episodes of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," Showtime's "Dexter" and BBC's "Luther," as well as episodes of HBO's upcoming series "Luck" and BBC's three-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations."Kirk is repped by CAA and Independent Talent Group. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com