Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke and Amanda Peet will star in actor-turned-director Brian Goodman's autobiographical crime drama "Real Men Cry" for Yari Film Group says The Hollywood Reporter.

Hawke and Ruffalo will play childhood friends Paulie and Brian, respectively, who are forced to survive on the tough streets of South Boston through a life of petty thievery.

They join a local gang of criminals, but Brian finds it hard to reconcile his work and friendship with Paulie and his relationship with his wife (Peet) and son.

First-time feature director Goodman based Ruffalo's character on his own experiences with a friend who is now serving 100 years in prison for armed robbery.

He co-wrote the script with Donnie Wahlberg and Paul T. Murray. "Cry" will film on location in Boston beginning in November.