What "Lies" Ahead For Leo

Michael Fleming of Variety:

Leonardo DiCaprio is in early talks to star in Warner Bros.' adaptation of the new David Ignatius novel, "Body of Lies"

Ridley Scott will direct the project, which reunites DiCaprio with screenwriter William Monahan, Oscar-winning writer of "The Departed."

...DiCaprio's deal has to be negotiated, but he already has worked the picture into his busy schedule. He'll make it this fall after first reteaming with "Titanic" co-star Kate Winslet "Revolutionary Road," the Sam Mendes-directed drama that shoots in April.

Scott already is scouting venues in Morocco for a film that will shoot in Washington, D.C., Europe and the Middle East.

DiCaprio will play an ex-journalist-turned CIA agent who's sent to Amman to work with Jordan's intelligence chief to track an Al Qaeda leader rumored to be planning attacks against America.

Monahan and Scott aligned to the project last year...when Warner bought the novel, then titled "Penetration," by Washington Post columnist Ignatius. Middle East-set project is the third that Monahan has scripted for Scott, after "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Tripoli", the latter of which hasn't yet been made.

DiCaprio is one busy guy. He must like playing characters undercover or on the run--as he's played quite a few of them--in the last 5 years.