Oct 8 2008 Coming Soon... Denzel Washington is Trapped in 'The Matarese Circle'

David Cronenberg is negotiating with MGM to direct an adaptation of the Robert Ludlum political thriller The Matarese Circle, with Denzel Washington attached to star as a bad-ass running around with a handgun, as usual. From Variety:

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, book revolves around two men — one American, one Soviet — who must cooperate in order to foil a sinister plot to topple the world’s governments.

Writing partners Michael Brandt and Derek Haas ("3:10 to Yuma") penned the adaptation.

Come on, The Matarese Circle? That's the name? That's the most typically political thriller-like name ever. That's not even trying anymore; it's just putting words together. The, uh... Peking Condition. That's a political thriller now. Someone write that. The Melbourne Synopsis. That's another one. "Denzel Washington, I need a summary of what happened in Australia. You must get me the Melbourne Synopsis." "OK, let me get my handgun."

Looking back at The Peanut Butter Solution, I'm not sure why that was about a magical hair-growth concoction instead of corruption and espionage in a politically-charged elementary school cafeteria.