Paramount Pictures‘ long-planned feature film version of Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko’s graphic novel Torso is back on track as Variety reports that acclaimed helmer Paul Greengrass (Jason Bourne, Captain Phillips) will direct the thriller for the studio under the new title Ness. They are currently looking for a leading man to star as famed crimefighter Elliot Ness, whose prohibition-era exploits inspired The Untouchables.
The story follows Ness after his Chicago glory days, now serving as Safety Director of Cleveland, Ohio. Besides his efforts to root out corruption in the Cleveland police force, Ness assembled a new team dubbed “The Unknowns” to bring down a notorious serial killer dubbed the “Torso Killer ” or the “Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run.”
Oscar-winning screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, 42) adapted the graphic novel into a script for Greengrass, with whom he previously collaborated on 2010’s Green Zone. The film has gone through several directors in the past, including David Fincher (Zodiac) and David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints).
David Engel of Circle of Confusion will produce Ness alongside Greengrass, Greg Goodman, John Davis, and John Fox of Davis Entertainment. Bendis and Andreyko are executive producing.
