Scott will direct the project for WB
Leonardo DiCaprio is in early talks to star in Warner Bros.’ adaptation of the new David Ignatius novel, “Body of Lies.”
Ridley Scott will direct the project, which reunites DiCaprio with screenwriter William Monahan, Oscar-winning writer of “The Departed.” Donald De Line and Scott are producing the co-production of Scott Free Prods. and De Line Pictures. Scott Free’s Michael Costigan is exec producer. DiCaprio’s deal has to be negotiated, but he already has worked the picture into his busy schedule. He’ll make it this fall after first reteaming with “Titanic” co-star Kate Winslet on “Revolutionary Road,” the Sam Mendes-directed DreamWorks drama that shoots in April. Scott already is scouting venues in Morocco for a film that will shoot in Washington, D.C., Europe and the Middle East. DiCaprio will play an ex-journalist-turned CIA agent who’s sent to Amman to work with Jordan’s intelligence chief to track an Al Qaeda leader rumored to be planning attacks against America.Monahan and Scott aligned to the project last year (Daily Variety, March 13, 2006), when Warner bought the novel, then titled “Penetration,” by Washington Post columnist Ignatius. Middle East-set project is the third that Monahan has scripted for Scott, after “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Tripoli,” the latter of which hasn’t yet been made. DiCaprio is managed by the Firm.
