Clooney is currently negotiating with Fox Searchlight to star in the dramatic comedy The Descendants. It will be Alexander Payne’s first directing gig since the film Sideways.
Variety reports that the story will take place in Hawaii, and will follow a man who, with his daughters, goes in search of his wife’s lover in hopes of keeping the family united.
Payne will co-produce the film with his Ad Hominem production box cronies, Jim Burke and Jim Taylor.
Written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, the screenplay is based on the Kaui Hart Hemmings novel, The Descendants. Filming is set to begin in February.
Currently, George Clooney is in Italy shooting the drama The American. The actor will also star in The Men Who Stare at Goats, opening November 6, and can be heard as a voice in the animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox on November 25. Finally, he will star in Up in the Air, in theatres on Christmas Day.