Cronenberg eyes political thriller The Matarese Circle

Canadian director David Cronenberg is in talks to make a big-budget political thriller for MGM studios.

The Matarese Circle, based on a 1979 book by Robert Ludlum, follows the fortunes of an American agent and a Soviet agent who work together to thwart acircle of criminals called the Matarese who have infiltrated the U.S. government.

TheHollywood Reporter says Cronenberg, whose last release was theRussian mob film Eastern Promises, is being sought to direct.

Denzel Washington has been signed to star in The Matarese Circle.

MGM is reported to have spent more than $4 million US for the rights to the book.

The film would have a bigger budget and higher-profile stars than are usually associated with Cronenberg, who also made A History of Violence.

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, who penned Wanted, have adapted the screenplay from Ludlum's book.

The films of the Bourne trilogy, also from a Ludlum story, were money spinners for partner studio Universal Entertainment.

An operatic adaptation ofCronenberg's 1986 horror film The Fly opened in Los Angeles last month.