Though the sci-fi film hasn’t even come out yet, Michael Fassbender is already set to reteam with his Prometheus director Ridley Scott on Scott’s next project. When famed author Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men) surprisingly turned in his first spec screenplay a few months ago, Scott quickly attached himself to the project. We heard at the time that Fassbender was talking to Scott about possibly starring, and now Deadline confirms that the actor will star in The Counselor. While plot details are thin, the pic is described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids” and concerns a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the drug business without getting sucked down.

Production is set to begin on May 1st, but Fassbender is also poised to reteam with Shame director Steve McQueen on the period pic Twelve Years a Slave so it’s unclear if he’ll do Slave before or after The Counselor. The actor recently committed to developing and starring in a film based on Celtic warrior Cuchulainn. A number of high-profile actors are apparently talking with Scott about joining The Counselor, and the director’s chair was a highly sought-after gig. While I’m super excited about Prometheus, I’m interested to see Scott take on a straight drama following a number of large-scale pics. [Update: Deadline has updated their story to add that Scott is now looking to cast the villain role, with actors like Jeremy Renner, Brad Pitt, and Bradley Cooper mentioned as possible candidates. This is shaping up to be one hell of a movie]

Author Cormac McCarthy’s first screenplay is looking like it’s on the fast track to production. McCarthy, whose books have been adapted into such fantastic films as No Country for Old Men and The Road, sold the spec screenplay The Counselor last month, and a multitude of directors jumped at the chance to take the helm. Ridley Scott entered talks a few weeks ago, and now Deadline reports that Scott is confirmed to make The Counselor his next film. Furthermore, Scott is apparently talking to his Prometheus star Michael Fassbender about starring in the drama.

The story is described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids” and centers on a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. He soon finds he’s in over his head and tries his best to get out of a desperate situation. Apparently a number of top actors are vying for roles in the pic, and Scott hopes to begin production on May 1st. Fassbender is a tremendous actor, and the idea of him tackling Cormac material is certainly exciting. He’s next set to reteam with Shame director Steve McQueen on the period drama Twelve Years a Slave. I sincerely hope he’s able to fit both films into his schedule.

Director Ridley Scott is adding yet another project to his ever-increasing pile, but this one is poised to be his next film. Just over a week ago we reported that author Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men) had turned in his very first spec screenplay entitled The Counselor. The news was exciting as the Pulitzer Prize-winning author is one of the great voices of our time, and now Deadline reports that Scott plans to bring the film to fruition. The story centers on “a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation.”

Scott plans to make The Counselor his next project after he finishes up post-production on this summer’s Prometheus. He certainly wasn’t lacking for potential projects to choose from, as he was mulling over a Gertrude Bell biopic with Angelina Jolie and the thriller Child 44. Scott previously stated that the Blade Runner remake would be his next pic, but it appears he’s chosen McCarthy’s drama instead. I’m quite looking forward to seeing him return to the sci-fi genre with Prometheus, but it’ll be interesting to see him bring McCarthy’s voice to life.

Author Cormac McCarthy’s works have been mined for some stellar feature film adaptations over the past few years. All the Pretty Horses, The Road, and Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men have all come from the mind of McCarthy. Now the Pulitzer Prize-winning author is trying his hand at feature films, as he’s turned in his first spec script. His agents were expecting McCarthy to hand in his latest novel when instead he turned in the script for a film called The Counselor.

Deadline reports that the setting of The Counselor is reminiscent of No Country, and it centers on “a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation.” The contemporary drama is set in the Southwest and two of the leading characters are women. The film’s producers are currently talking to financiers and will quickly go looking for a filmmaker to attach to the project.