In its first major material deal made since Mary Parent took over as head of MGM’s worldwide motion picture group, the studio ponied up for “The Matarese Circle,” a 1979 book by Robert Ludlum. Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media will co-finance the film, and Denzel Washington is attached to star. The book sold for $3 million, with another seven-figures to be paid to screenwriters Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (“3:10 to Yuma,” the upcoming “Wanted”)

The story appears to be a thriller where a pair of rival CIA and KGB spies must team up to take down international terrorists. This could be great. (via Variety)