Ridley Scott adopts 'Child 44'

The 'Gladiator' helmer is set to adapt Tom Rob Smith's Russian-set thriller.

Apr 17 2007

With a little help from Fox 2000, Ridley Scott has obtained the rights to Tom Rob Smith's debut novel 'Child 44', a thriller revolving around a series of murders in Stalinist Russia.

It's a massive deal for Smith, who up until a few years ago was writing for TV soaps 'Doctors' and 'Dream Team', especially as 'Child 44' isn't even due to be published until 2008.

Scott will produce and likely direct the film, which focuses on an officer in the secret police framed by a colleague. While on the run, he stumbles on a series of child murders and sets about solving the case, even if it means risking his own capture.

Before then Scott will direct 'Penetration', a political drama set to star Leonardo DiCaprio.

• 
•