Undaunted by the slow death of "Lies" and the inscrutability of "Syriana", Roven and his frequent collaborator Richard Suckle are developing "Damascus Gate" - a political thriller set in modern day Jerusalem.  According to The Hollywood reporter, Eric Warren Singer, the same man who wrote the Roven-produced "the International", will base his "Damascus" screenplay partially on Robert Stone's 1998 novel of the same title.  Sony acquired the rights to the book which is set against the backdrop of yet another much-heralded peace accord between Palestinians and Israelis.  When a "burned-out journalist" named Christopher Lucas comes upon an extremist plot to sabotage the effort he sheds his professional ennui in order to do the right thing – whatever that means.

Roven says that "Damascus Gate", which is being set up at Columbia, will mix character study with action – something "The Dark Knight" did very well.  Whether the same formula will work out for a film based on Middle-Eastern extremism instead of caped crusaders is anyone's guess.  But just to be safe, maybe Roven should have a talk with Ridley Scott before he gets to far along…