Exclusive: Yorgos Lanthimos is set to direct the assassin thriller titled Fatale.

      Yorgos Lanthimos, who recently completed Bugonia and has been planning to adapt the perennial subway read My Year of Rest and Relaxation, has another project quietly in the works. Reliable sources have confirmed that he will both write and direct Fatale, an adaptation of Jean-Patrick Manchette’s intense assassin thriller, with James Schamus producing.

      Fatale is a significant work, and those who have read Manchette’s novel can see why its structure would attract Lanthimos. The story begins with Aimée, an assassin who skillfully eliminates armed hunters and ecstatically revels in the cash rewards while en route to a coastal town, where she stirs up rivalries among its elite, leading to a brutal confrontation. It features social satire, stark violence, and sexual fervor—all themes typical of Lanthimos’ films, with a part that could easily be envisioned for Emma Stone.

      It remains uncertain when Fatale will come to fruition for Lanthimos, or if it will take precedence over his other projects. However, with Christopher McQuarrie’s Colin Firth-led Three to Kill being developed at Amazon, Manchette’s work may soon attract more attention and expedite this project.

      Here is the synopsis from NYRB (and it's recommended to buy it from them instead of Amazon):

      Whether you view her as a ruthless schemer or the embodiment of contemporary capitalism, it is undeniable that Aimée is a killer—and an exceptionally skilled one at that. She now sets her sights on a small town—where, while masquerading as a sweet (yet stunning) newcomer, she aims to uncover old grievances and create new openings, expertly manipulating various individuals and interests against one another to profit, as always. But then something changes: the master manipulator becomes ensnared by a genuine and misguided passion.

      Aimée evolves into the avenging force of her own nihilism, bringing down an entire society of destroyers. Jean-Patrick Manchette, a truly original voice, redefined the modern detective novel as a tool for sharp satire and anarchic enjoyment. In Fatale, he skillfully blends elements of farce, chaos, and insanity to concoct a unique literary mix that delivers a powerful impact.