Mike Newell Helms Litvinenko Scandal Drama

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) is attached to write and direct a film about the Alexander Litvinenko scandal for Warner Bros. Pictures.

According to Variety: The director of one of this summer's upcoming blockbusters has found a new film project. “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” director Mike Newell will write and direct an untitled spy film for his next project.

The film will be based off the life and mysterious death of KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko. Litvinenko was a former KGB spy who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Litvinenko accused then Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible.

Newell and David Scarpa will pen the script using Alan Cowell's "The Terminal Spy" book for much of the details. No actors have been attached as of yet, but it was said that the film is in advanced stages of development.

Michael Mann also was developing a Litvinenko project with Litvinenko’s wife over at Sony, but that project has stalled over the past few months.

The international intrigue involved in Litvinenko’s story should make for a compelling film. Newell did a fantastic job on “Donnie Brasco” back in the day, and his take on Harry Potter was one of the best films of the franchise.

Look for casting on this project to happen soon.