The film adaption of the John D. MacDonald novel The Deep Blue Good-By has taken a rather convoluted path towards the silver screen.  Fox got close to deals with both Oliver Stone and Paul Greengrass to direct the film before going after James Mangold (hot off saving The Wolverine from disaster).  Initially Leonardo DiCaprio intended to play the part of Travis McGee in the intended franchise but had to pull out for scheduling reasons.  He remains onboard as a producer, but now reports have Christian Bale eyeing the lead role (though a formal offer has yet to be made).

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time a film has flirted with both Stone and DiCaprio before moving on to Bale (an early version of American Psycho had the pair attached).  Now, apparently having passed on True Detective Season 2, Bale is keen on this project as well.  Hit the jump for more on Christian Bale possibly joining The Deep Blue Good-By.

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In addition to reporting that Bale is in early talks to star, Variety reports that Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island) wrote the most recent draft of the script.  As for Bale passing on True Detective?  That’s per The Wrap.  The Deep Blue Good-By, if a hit, could be paying dividends for years to come.  The mystery series spans an impressive 21 books (of which I have read none, perhaps I should check it out).

The True Detective bit is interesting to me.  I wonder if Bale passed on the role that eventually went to Colin Farrell or if it was the Taylor Kitsch part.  Any bets on which it was?

Here's a synopsis for the source novel:

Travis McGee is a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He’s also a knight-errant who’s wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: He’ll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.

 

McGee isn’t particularly strapped for cash, but how can anyone say no to Cathy, a sweet backwoods girl who’s been tortured repeatedly by her manipulative ex-boyfriend Junior Allen? What Travis isn’t anticipating is just how many women Junior has torn apart and left in his wake. Enter Junior’s latest victim, Lois Atkinson.

Frail and broken, Lois can barely get out of bed when Travis finds her, let alone keep herself alive. But Travis turns into Mother McGee, giving Lois new life as he looks for the ruthless man who steals women’s spirits and livelihoods. But he can’t guess how violent his quest is soon to become. He’ll learn the hard way that there must be casualties in this game of cat and mouse. [Amazon]