David Cronenberg Discovers Spies
David Cronenberg, the director best known for creepy fare such as The Fly and Scanners, is about to change genres. Variety reports he is in negotiations to direct The Matarese Circle, the political thriller written by Robert Ludlum.
The MGM film would star Denzel Washington and its story is set back when there was still a Cold War. Washington’s American would have to find a way to cooperate with a Russian counterpart to stop a plot aimed at destroying multiple national governments.
Ludlum’s best seller has been adapted by the writing team of Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (3:10 to Yuma). It has been fast-tracked since the studio, headed by Tom Cruise and Mary Parent, acquired the rights in April.
Cronenberg most recently directed the action-packed Eastern Promises.