After languishing in development for several years, Sony Pictures is finally moving forward with their adaptation of Mark Greaney's 2009 novel The Gray Man. The Tracking Board reports that Charlize Theron is attached to star as the female lead, with the studio currently searching for a director to tackle the script by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo. The writers were initially set to direct as well, but now that they are locked into making Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War Part I and Avengers: Infinity War - Part II, they are no longer available to direct.

The story centers on a American covert operative named Court Gentry, who is also known as The Gray Man. He has become a legend in the covert world for pulling off impossible missions, before fading into obscurity. He must spring back into action in a race against time to save his daughters, who have been targeted by international assassins. The studio is also seeking the right actor to play Court Gentry, a role that Brad Pitt was once eyeing back in 2011. It's worth noting that Brad Pitt's Plan B company is still involved, with the actor's producing partner Dede Gardner set to produce, but it isn't known if he is still interested in taking on the lead role.

While Charlize Theron's exact character wasn't revealed, the site speculates that she may come aboard to play Court Gentry, in a gender-swapping role. You may recall that Salt, the 2010 action-thriller starring Angelina Jolie, was originally crafted for a male actor to star, but the role was changed during the development process. The Russo brothers had been developing this project since 2010, but now the project is finally starting to get some traction, after their success with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and their highly-anticipated follow-up, Captain America: Civil War.

Dede Gardner is producing alongside Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Shine's Elizabeth Murdoch and Roth Films' Joe Roth. It isn't known when production may actually begin, but Charlize Theron has previously been rumored to star in Captain Marvel, although Marvel Studios hasn't officially announced who will play the title character yet. We also reported earlier today that the actress' beloved character Furiosa will not return in the sequel to this year's blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road.

Charlize Theron recently signed on to star in The Coldest City for director David Leitch (John Wick), and she also stars in The Huntsman, a sequel to 2012's Snow White and the Huntsman, which will hit theaters on April 22, 2016. The actress most recently starred in Dark Places, which hit theaters in August and also starred Nicholas Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Tye Sheridan and Chloe Moretz.