A couple of intimidating actors are lining up new projects.  Variety reports that Dwayne Johnson is in early talks to star in Universal’s adaptation of Bourne Identity author Robert Ludlum’s book The Janson Directive.  The story follows a former consular ops agent who goes into business as a private security consultant after becoming uncomfortable with the high number of sanctioned killings as a covert operative.  In his new occupation, he teams up with a sharpshooter to take on assignments that he deems worthy of aid.  Johnson is apparently keen on the project, which Universal views as a Bourne-esque franchise tailored for the actor.  Should he sign on, Johnson would also produce.  Universal is currently out to writers to put on the adaptation.

Hit the jump for more on Johnson’s upcoming slate and news regarding a Sylvester Stallone project with Goodfellas pedigree.

Johnson most recently wrapped work on Fast & Furious 7, and while he’s expected to return for G.I. Joe 3, he’s been choosing more star vehicles for himself as of late.  He’s currently filming the disaster pic San Andreas, he’ll be seen later this month as the lead in Hercules, and HBO picked up his new show Ballers to series.  Johnson is one very busy man, but Janson Directive seems like a solid next step on his path towards world domination.

Meanwhile, Deadline reports that The Lincoln Lawyer and Runner Runner director Brad Furman has been set to direct Sylvester Stallone in Scarpa.  Scripted by Goodfellas and Casino scribe Nicholas Pileggi, the film tells the story of Gregory Scarpa, a former capo and hit man for the Colombo crime family known as the Grim Reaper.  Scarpa boasted of killing 50 people and eventually turned FBI informant during his tenure in the mob.  Subsequently, Scarpa contracted HIV and died from AIDS-related complications in 1994.  It’s a tantalizing story, especially with Pileggi handling the screenplay, and it should mark an interesting project for Furman.  Millennium Films will produce.