Londongrad: the Life and Death of a Russian Spy

'Planet of the Apes' helmer teams with Depp, Graham King
Rupert Wyatt to helm 'Londongrad' about Soviet KBG officer

By: JUSTIN KROLL

In demand after the success of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," director Rupert Wyatt took his time finding his next gig, and now he's closing in on "Londongrad," the true story of poisoned former Soviet KBG officer Alexander Litvinenko.

Wyatt is in early talks to helm the project for Warner Bros. Johnny Depp and Graham King will produce through Depp's Infinitum Nihil banner from a script by David Scarpa.

Based on the Alan Cowell tome "Sasha's Story: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy," the pic revolves around Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium-210 in 2006, blaming Russian secret service agents and Vladimir Putin before his death.

Several attempts to get a film off the ground have been made since; at one point, this project had Mike Newell directing with Depp possibly starring. With Wyatt coming aboard, it looks like Warner Bros. could be the first out of the gate.

Depp is not expected to star so the studio is now on the look for its Litvinenko.