jay roach

Liam Neeson, Diane Lane, and Jason Bateman have all signed on for the spy thriller Felt, which is based on the true story of FBI agents during the Watergate scandal. Peter Landesman is the writer, producer and director of the film which is set to start shooting in March.

Neeson will play special agent Mark Felt, also known as “Deep Throat,” who was the key source for the Washington Post’s articles and investigation around the Watergate scandal. Bateman will play Lieutenant Charlie Bates, who works for Felt. After finding out about Felt’s status as an informant, Bates has to decide what actions to take, the moral one or the ethical one. Lane will play Audrey Felt, Felt’s wife.

As for some backstory for younger audiences, “Deep Throat’s” identity was a mystery since the Watergate scandal, until Mark Felt came out in 2005 and admitted who he really was. MadRiver Pictures, Cara Films, Playtone, and Scott Free Productions will all finance and produce the film, which will have Steve Shareshian, Michael Schaefer, Michael Bassick, and Steven Marshall as executive producers. And there is an impressive lineup of producers for the film, including Tom Hanks and Ridley Scott, along with Gary Goetzman, Giannina Scott, Marc Butan, Christopher Woodrow and Jay Roach.