Sean Penn is set to take the lead in a feature film adaptation of Jean-Patrick Manchette's The Prone Gunman, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter. Although Manchette passed away in 1995, the book was translated by James Brooks and published through Lawrence Ferlinghetti's City Light Books in 2002 with the following official description:

Martin Terrier is a hired killer who wants out of the game — so he can settle down and marry his childhood sweetheart. That's why he took up this profession! Martin returns to his hometown to claim her, but the Organization won't let him go. Once again, the gunman must assume the prone shooting position.

Penn recently starred in The Tree of Life and This Must Be the Place. He can next be seen in Ruben Fleischer's Gangster Squad, hitting theaters on January 11.

Joel Silver and Andrew Rona will produce with Peter Travis providing the screenplay.

(Photo Credit: Lia Toby / WENN.com)