Geez, what can't Madea do? It looks like Tyler Perry has landed the role of Alex Cross in the adaptation of the James Patterson book I, Alex Cross. The novel finds Cross investigating the death of his pregnant wife. The role was previously played onscreen by Morgan Freeman in two other Patterson adaptations: 1997’s Kiss the Girls and 2001’s Along Came a Spider. Actor Idris Elba was originally chosen to star in the reboot of the Alex Cross franchise with David Twohy (The Chronicles of Riddick) directing, but it appears that the project has undergone a bit of an overhaul. Variety reports that Rob Cohen (xXx) will direct, with Madea—er—Perry signed on for a trilogy of films. I know it’s early, but I think this film takes the cake as the strangest project to take shape in 2011 so far. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.Here’s the synopsis for I, Alex Cross by James Patterson:

You can't run

Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim.

You can't hide

The hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain--they will do anything to keep their secrets safe.

Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive

As Alex closes in on the killer, he discovers evidence that points to the unimaginable--a revelation that could rock the entire world. With the unstoppable action, unforeseeable twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that only a James Patterson thriller delivers, I, Alex Cross is the master of suspense at his sharpest and best. [Amazon]