Liam Neeson will be putting his resurgence as an action star on hold to helm a decidedly different kind of thriller. The star of the Taken franchise has signed on to helm Peter Landesman’s spy film, Felt, along with recently signed co-star Diane Lane, according to Variety.
The plot will follow the true story of FBI Agent Mark Felt, who came out of hiding in 2005 to reveal he was the clandestine informant known as “Deep Throat,” the key source for Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstien blew the Watergate scandal wide open. The film has had a big week, signing both of its lead stars.
Lane has signed on to play Felt’s wife, Audrey, who is described as being both highly intelligent and deeply troubled as she helps take on the burden of fighting against the political might of The White House. The plot will take a deeper look into the couple’s struggles to hide Felt’s alter ego as one of the most famous informants in the history of American politics, leading to the disgraceful end to Richard Nixon’s tenure as president.
Lane can currently be scene in another film based on a true story, the Bryan Cranston starring Trumbo. Meanwhile, Neeson will appear next in the 17th-century period piece Silence.
The script for Felt was written by Landesman, who will also direct the film, with shooting scheduled to begin in March. Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions will produce the movie, along with MadRiver Films (which is also putting up the budget) and an all-star cast of Hollywood stalwarts are listed as producers, including Ridley Scott, Tom Hangs, along with Giannina Scott, Marc Butan, Christopher Woodrow, and Jay Roach.
Steven Shareshian and Michael Schaefer will executive produce, along with Michael Bassick and Steven Marshall.
