Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis is in talks to star in 'American Assassin'.

The 57-year-old action movie veteran is negotiating a role in Jeffrey Nachmanoff's CIA thriller, an adaptation of Vince Flynn's novel about college scholar and athlete Mitch Rapp who embarks on a mission to hunt down terrorists.

The screenplay has been adapted by Mike Finch and Lorenzo di Bonaventura is on board to produce. Jeffrey Nachmanoff recently singed up to direct after Ed Zwick dropped out of the project.

The story is based on the eleventh book in the popular series about Mitch Rapp and will see the central hero - who is yet to be cast - seek revenge by signing up to the CIA after his girlfriend is tragically killed in a terrorist attack.

'The Sixth Sense' star Bruce is in line for the part of an older secret agent who acts at Mitch's mentor.

The actor has previously worked with producer Lorenzo on 'Red' and 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' and has reportedly been considering the role for some time, according to Empire Online.

The search is now on for the perfect actor to play the male lead in the CBS Films thriller.

Bruce is due to star in several fast-paced action flicks this year and begins shooting the sequel to 'Red' in October. He can next be seen in 'Looper', which is out on September 28.

'American Assassin' is scheduled for release in 2013.

© Bang Showbiz