David Fincher is in early talks to direct the adaptation Gone Girl for 20th Century Fox and producer Reese Witherspoon. We reported back in July that the studio acquired the rights to Gillian Flynn's novel.

The story centers on a woman who disappears without a trace on her fifth wedding anniversary, with her husband being sought as the prime suspect in the missing persons case. It isn't known if Reese Witherspoon will also star as the wife, or if she will only serve as a producer. Fox paid seven figures to acquire the novel, beating out Universal Pictures in a bidding war.

Bruna Papandrea is also producing for Pacific Standard alongside

Leslie Dixon. No screenwriter has been hired for the adaptation as of yet.

David Fincher is still attached to direct 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for Disney. Sources indicate that the filmmaker may still direct 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea next, and hold off on Gone Girl.