Could Adrian Lyne Come Back to the Big Screen with ‘The Associate?’

It's been ten years since Adrian Lyne's 'Unfaithful' hit the big screens. It was counter-programming in the summer of 'Spider-Man' and it was successful - it also netted Diane Lane an Oscar nomination. But in those ten years Lyne hasn't directed a film, and now it looks like he might helm an adaptation of John Grisham's 'The Associate' for Paramount.

Lyne started his career as one in the wave of British commercial directors who swept Hollywood. He - along with the Scott brothers (Tony and Ridley), Julien Temple and others - ushered in what was called the "MTV generation" of filmmakers. Lyne was target number one for critics having made 'Flashdance,' '9 1/2 Weeks' and 'Fatal Attraction' - big glossy, sexual Hollywood hits. But as his career progressed he made smarter and smarter movies, with his adaptation of 'Lolita' and 'Unfaithful' showing a smart and considered filmmaker. And then.. nothing.Coming back for this, as reported by Variety, would be a good thing.

This would be the second Grisham adaptation to be on the plate of late, with Mark Wahlberg eying another production. The script has been written by William Monahan, who also was just announced as one of the writers on 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.' So all the writers on this project have been keeping busy.