Roman Polanski has agreed to direct political thriller The Ghost.

An adaptation of a Robert Harris novel, it tells the story of a ghostwriter who is paid to work for a former British Prime Minister.

The ghostwriter discovers an international conspiracy while working for the PM, putting his life in danger.

Talking about the project, Polanski told Variety: "I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and The Ghost could not be more perfect.

"Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down."

Polanski will work alongside Harris in writing the screenplay for the film.