Relativity Media announced Friday that principal filming had begun in Pittsburgh for the gripping and gritty dramatic thriller currently titled “Out of the Furnace.”

In addition to the start of filming, Relativity announced that both Oscar®-nominated Woody Harrelsonand Oscar®-winner Forest Whitaker have been added to the star studded-cast making its way to Pittsburgh for filming.

Other stars that make up the award-winning cast include Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard and critically-acclaimed director Scott Cooper.

Most of the filming will take place in the mill towns of Braddock, North Braddock and Rankin. These communities are slowly but surely rebounding after a devastating slump and will provide the evocative backdrop for the film. Additional filming will take place in the greater Pittsburgh area.

The currently-titled “Out of the Furnace” tells a story about fate, circumstance and justice. Bale plays Russell while Affleck plays his younger brother, Rodney. The characters live in the economically depressed Rust Belt, and have always dreamed of escaping and finding better lives. 

When a cruel twist of fate lands Russell in prison, his brother is lured into one of the most violent and ruthless crime rings in the Northeast – a mistake that will almost cost him everything. Once released, Russell must choose between his own freedom, or risk it all to seek justice for his brother.