Bad news for those of us that wanted to see David Cronenberg’s adaptation of “The Matarese Circle” by author Robert Ludlum (The ‘Bourne’ series). That project now seems to be on the back burner.
As of a few month ago, the spy thriller was “set” to star Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington as two agents (one from the CIA and the other from the KGB) who put their rivalry in the past to go up against an international circle of killers called the Matarese.
With Tom Cruise jumping on board James Mangold‘s “Wichita,” and Denzel Washington officially signing up for Tony Scott’s “Unstoppable,” the Canadian filmmaker appears to have an open slot in his schedule.
So instead of ‘Circle,’ Cronenberg’s next move will be to bring Don DeLillo’s novel, “Cosmopolis” to the silver screen.
Set to begin filming in 2010, the Toronto/U.S. production seems to be a departure for Cronenberg, who hasn’t directed a picture since 2007’s “Eastern Promises.”
The story of “Cosmopolis” revolves around a day in the life of Eric Packer, a 28 year old multi-billionaire asset manager who travels across Manhattan in order to get a haircut. No, really, we didn’t make that up, but if anyone can make that trifle sound interesting, surely Cronenberg can.
According to Amazon, “Most of the action takes place inside a “prousted” (cork-lined) stretch limo, as the reclusive financial wizard Eric Packer is chauffeured across Manhattan for a haircut. Thanks to a presidential visit, antiglobalization demonstrations, and a celebrity funeral, this journey takes up most of the day.”
No cast or crew have been announced as of yet, but we should hear more in the upcoming months. [THR] – Alexander Sablow