EXCLUSIVE
Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan ("The Departed") and "Animal Kingdom" director David Michod are on the shortlist to direct the big-screen adaptation of Ken Bruen's crime novel "Once Were Cops," an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
There are several other directors in the mix, but Monahan and Michod appear to have the inside track on the gig.
David Logan ("Circus") wrote the script and Steven Sawalich ("Music Within") and Gil Adler ("Superman Returns") are producing the picture.
Bruen's novel follows an unbalanced member of Ireland's elite police force who joins the New York Police Department as part of an exchange program.
The movie will change the setting to Boston, which has a rich Irish history that is a better fit for the story.
Monahan would be a good fit for the project considering he recently made his directorial debut with an upcoming adaptation of Bruen's novel "London Boulevard," although the filmmaker just signed on to write and direct "Becket," so scheduling issues may force him to pass on the project.
As for Michod, his gritty Australian crime drama "Animal Kingdom" is one of the best reviewed movies of the year, and the up-and-coming filmmaker has a bright future in Hollywood, where Bruen's work appears to be a hot commodity at the moment.
"Moon" screenwriter Nathan Parker adapted the author's serial killer tale "Blitz," which stars Jason Statham, Paddy Considine and Luke Evans. Elliott Lester's thriller doesn't have an official release date yet, but those desperate for a Bruen fix will be able to get it when "London Boulevard" hits theaters in February.
