New York, July 03: "Shakespeare in Love" director John Madden is in negotiations to take the helm of the Nazi hunting thriller "The Debt."

The Miramax Films project is based on the 2007 Israeli feature "HaHov," which follows a trio of 1960s Israeli intelligence agents who pursue an elusive Nazi war criminal. More than 30 years later, their target re-emerges. As with the original, the remake is expected to feature two actresses playing the female protagonist in the `60s and `90s.

Madden`s most recent film was the Weinstein Co./MGM thriller "Killshot," filmed in 2005 and still awaiting release. He received an Oscar nomination for 1998`s "Shakespeare in Love," and went on to direct such films as "Captain Corelli`s Mandolin" and "Proof."

Bureau Report