Movies
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Newell is to team with Warner Bros and screenwriter David Scarpa for the political thriller, which is based on Alan Cowell's book The Terminal Spy.
Former Russian agent Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium-210 radiation in 2006. As he lay dying in his London hospital bed, he accused then-Russian President Vladimir Putin of plotting his murder.
Johnny Depp was linked to the lead role when a movie based on Litvinenko was first touted in 2007.
Newell, who also counts Four Weddings And A Funeral and Depp's Donnie Brasco on his CV, is behind the upcoming Prince Of Persia movie.
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