Nicole Kidman and writer Simon Kinberg are teaming on a spy thriller that was pre-emptively picked up by Regency Enterprises and 20th Century Fox.
Kinberg will write the untitled project, while Kidman will star and produce via Fox-based Blueprint Films. Laurence Mark also is on board to produce with Jonathan King.
Story line details are being kept under wraps, but the film is described as being in the vein of “The Bourne Identity” but with a female protagonist.
The project provides an opportunity for Kidman and Kinberg to finally work together. Kidman originally was attached to co-star alongside Brad Pitt in the Regency hit “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” which Kinberg wrote. She dropped out because of scheduling conflicts, paving the way for Angelina Jolie to topline.
Sanford Panitch is overseeing for Regency, while Hutch Parker shepherds for Fox.
For Kinberg, one of the town’s most in-demand writers, setting up the project at Regency and Fox was a no-brainer. In addition to writing “Smith” for Regency, he wrote the upcoming Fox tentpole “X-Men: The Last Stand” and is writing and producing “Jumper,” which is being developed at Regency. Kinberg, who also is working on the “Smith” TV pilot, is repped by CAA and attorney Karl Austen.
Kidman recently wrapped “The Visiting,” the Oliver Hirschbiegel horror-thriller also starring Daniel Craig. She is repped by CAA and attorney Alan Wertheimer.
Mark’s producing credits include “I, Robot” and the upcoming Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks musical “Dreamgirls.”
Storey courtesy of Hollywood Reporter
