The Prince of Providence: According to The Boston Herald, David Mamet will hone his screenwriting skills once again in New England - this time adapting a book about Providence's pitifully corrupt ex-mayor, Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr.

Word's out Mamet was inspired by "The Prince of Providence", a book that chronicles the "Soprano"-esque life and times of Cianci.

Rhode Island homeboy Michael Corrente, who made the announcement for Mamet over the weekend at the Newport Film Festival, is on board to direct the film.

The veteran lensman said Mamet "read the book and called me and said, 'You're kidding me.' And I said 'No, it's all true.' He said he couldn't write half this stuff. I said, 'I know, it's amazing.'"

Cianci, who's currently doing time in the Big House, rose to power in Providence after toiling as a prosecutor. Revered for his work in busting up the New England mob, Cianci became mayor in 1974. Re-elected twice, his political dynasty took a turn for the worse when he found himself facing down charges of attacking his estranged wife's lover with a log. Pleading no contest, he was handed a five-year suspended sentence and left office in 1984.

Cianci managed to stay in the public eye as a talk show host while plotting out his next bid for the top job. He reclaimed the mayor's office in 1990 and resigned 12 years later after he was found guilty of a racketeering conspiracy charge and sentenced to five years in prison.

Actors Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman as well as small-screen stars Paul Giamatti and Michael Chiklis are being considered for the lead role.