The rights to Olen Steinhauer series of books, "The Tourist", "Nearest Exit", and "An American Spy" has been obtained by Sony Pictures.
Now the studio, has asked Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith") to direct "The Tourist," said Deadline.
Dave Bartis will co-produce the movie, Matt Corman and Chris Ord will script it. The trio have been worked with Liman as executive producers for the TV series "Covert Affairs."
The story follows protagonist, Milo Weaver who is an agent attached to a clandestine branch of CIA which specializes in black-ops known as the Tourists.They deal with "global organized crime, terrorists, and the like." As Weaver gets comfortable with a semi-retirement, he is brought back by the death of a hired killer he'd been hunting.
Though Sony has not announced the start date for the movie, production is likely to start after he finishes the sci-fi movie "All You Need is Kill" with Tom Cruise.
He is also slated to direct "Time and Again" which according to SlashFilm, might be after he finishes "The Tourist."
Spy movies are a familiar territory for Liman, but he has also made other films like, nightlife comedy "Swingers" and sci-fi movie "Jumper."
It's interesting to note that George Clooney's production company, Smokehouse Pictures had purchased the rights for "The Tourist" in 2009, and Clooney was to star as the lead Weaver.
