Marc Forster Helms "The Chancellor Manuscript"

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

Marc Forster is going from one great spy literature author to another with the Swedish director now set to helm the long-gestating film adaptation of "The Chancellor Manuscript," reports Variety.

According to Variety: Marc Forster is attached to direct "The Chancellor Manuscript" for Paramount. The studio--which paid a rich $4 million for the Robert Ludlum political thriller in 2005--has tapped Peter O'Brien to adapt. O’Brien’s spy thriller "Unlocked" made the coveted 2008 Blacklist.

Based on the 1977 novel by "Bourne Identity'" author Ludlum, the story centers on Peter Chancellor, who turns in a novel about D.C. power brokers blackmailed into altering U.S. policies. When some operatives get hold of the manuscript, they think he has uncovered their actual scheme and try to hunt the author down.

“Manuscript” is being developed as a Leonardo DiCaprio starring vehicle, and has seen earlier drafts penned by Michael Seitzman and Alessandro Camon.

Forster, whose credits include "The Kite Runner," most recently directed the James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace."

In recent years, the late Ludlum's thrillers have proved irresistible to studios and big-name talent. Universal, the studio behind Ludlum's "Bourne" franchise, is developing "The Sigma Protocol." And Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington and helmer David Cronenberg are attached to an adaptation of "The Matarese Circle" at MGM.

Forster's a competent director, and clearly works well with actors, but “Quantum of Solace” was mediocre, at best. But with Dicaprio starring, this film could end up being one of the best Ludlum adaptations yet, “Bourne” series included.

Look for “The Chancellor Manuscript” in 2011.