Bruckheimer snaps up 'The Increment'

Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer have purchased the film rights to David Ignatius's unpublished geopolitical thriller novel The Increment, Variety says.

The book revolves around a group of British intelligence operatives who help a weapons scientist defect from Iran.

Ignatius told his agents he wanted a film version to be overseen by a producer he'd worked with before. After the manuscript was sent to Ridley Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer, Disney snapped up the rights for the Pirates of the Caribbean producer.

Hollywood insiders were reportedly surprised that Disney, a studio known for family friendly movies, showed eagerness to support a dark film that features an invasion of Iran.

Washington Post columnist Ignatius wrote the novel that became the basis for Ridley Scott's upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe thriller Body of Lies.