Just last week, we learned that filmmaker Steven Spielberg was zeroing in on his next directorial effort as he attached himself to yet another potential future project.  At the time, the decision appeared to be down to either the big-budget sci-fi spectacle Robopocalypse or the historical drama Montezuma, which revolves around the relationship between Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and the titular Aztec ruler.  Well now there appears to be a third contender for Spielberg’s next slot, as Tom Hanks has become attached to star in an untitled Cold War thriller with Spielberg eyeing the pic as a possible directorial vehicle.  More after the jump.

The folks over at The Film Stage were actually the first to note Spielberg’s possible involvement in this Cold War thriller, and today Variety corroborated their story by adding that Hanks has become attached to the DreamWorks project as the star.  Scripted by Matt Charman, the film tells the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who went behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War in order to negotiate the release of a downed U-2 spy plane pilot.

Spielberg and Hanks have worked together thrice before in a director/actor capacity with Saving Private Ryan, The Terminal, and Catch Me If You Can, and they teamed up as producers for HBO’s Band of Brothers and The Pacific.  Hanks is no stranger to Cold War themes having previously starred in Charlie Wilson’s War, but this untitled thriller would see the actor playing a much different role during the conflict.  In Spielberg’s hands, one imagines this could be a rather compelling dramatic thriller.

Spielberg has still yet to make a decision regarding his next directorial effort since dropping out of American Sniper last year.  Last week’s report noted that Robopocalypse had the edge over Montezuma given that its script was further along, but today’s report notes that if Spielberg doesn’t feel like tackling a tentpole project, this Cold War thriller could win out.  So now, we wait.