Variety has confirmed a Moviehole scoop that Liev Schreiber (upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is in talks to star opposite Angelina Jolie in the spy thriller Salt for Columbia Pictures. Moviehole also says that Chiwetel Ejiofor has joined the cast.
The story centers on Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy. She eludes capture by superiors who are convinced she is out to assassinate the president. While trying to reunite with her family, she struggles to prove someone else is the traitor.
Schreiber will play Salt’s boss and friend on the Russian desk at the CIA.
The Phillip Noyce-directed film begins shooting next month in New York.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash are producing; Ric Kidney and Mark Vahradian executive produce.
