Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor Join Johnny Depp in Lionsgate’s ‘Mortdecai’

David Koepp is directing the crime drama for Lionsgate

Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor are in talks to join David Koepp‘s crime drama “Mortdecai,” which TheWrap first reported will star Johnny Depp, according to an individual close to the Lionsgate project.

The film is based on Kyril Bonfiglioli’s series of novels following art dealer Charles Mortdecai. In the first installment, "The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery,” the protagonist scrambles to recover a stolen painting that could lead to a Nazi treasure trove.

Also read: Johnny Depp to Star in 'Mortdecai' for Lionsgate, Director David Koepp (Exclusive)

Koepp will direct from a script by Eric Aronson ("On the Line"). Andrew Lazar of Mad Chance will produce with Depp and his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski.

Lionsgate execs Erik Feig, Michael Paseornek, Gillian Bohrer and James Myers will oversee the project for the studio. The studio had no comment on the casting of McGregor and Paltrow.

"Mortdecai" was in development for years at Warners but never got off the ground despite the fact that Depp was attached to star and his "Secret Window" collaborator Koepp, one of Hollywood's most trusted screenwriters, was set to direct.

McGregor is repped by UTA, United Agents and Sloane Offer; Paltrow is repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Gang Tyre.

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