A project based on the Ludlow book “The Matarese Circle” is currently being pitched to studios with one very big incentive tacked on – Denzel Washington is attached to play the lead.

“Matarese” is the name of a shadowy group of killers pursued by the book’s hero, American secret agent Bradley Scofield. The “twist” is that Bradley must work in concert with his long-time Russian spy nemesis to defeat the group. I bet you couldn’t guess that the two opposing agents have a long, complex history, each having killed someone close to the other man, and that it is difficult for them to overcome the past to complete their mission. Oh, you could imagine that? Well, then that really isn’t much of a “twist,” is it?

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, the guys who wrote “3:10 to Yuma,” are signed on to write the screenplay for “Matarese.” I’m sure they can take what sounds like a reworking of the Stallone/Banderas flick “Assassins” and make it more Bourne-erific. The project has no deal yet, but on the strength of Denzel playing Scofield and the success of the “Bourne” trilogy I’d say it was only a matter of time.

Wonder how mysterious groups of killers pick a name for themselves here.