Clooney is a killer

George Clooney has played his share of criminals and charming rogues, but pulling a trigger for cold cash? Working on it now!

Almost immediately after promoting his next release, THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS (and winning praises for UP IN THE AIR), handsome George has already begun production on his next project THE AMERICAN, an adaptation of Martin Booth’s novel “A Very Private Gentleman”.

The synopsis: Alone among assassins, Jack (Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry (Bruce Altman) that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of IN BRUGES), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

The movie is now underway in Italy with director Anton Corbijn spotting targets for George.