Charlize Theron starring in spy thriller Need to Know

Charlize Theron will produce and star in spy thriller Need to Know.

The Academy Award-winning actress will dive into the world of the CIA and espionage in the forthcoming adaptation of a yet-to-be published novel by Karen Cleveland, it has been confirmed.

Theron will portray a young wife and mother who also works as an analyst. Her character later becomes embroiled in a dark scandal when she makes a shocking discovery while digitally searching files in the hopes of unmasking a Russian sleeper cell in the U.S.

Theron, Beth Kono, AJ Dix will produce the movie through their Denver & Delilah Films banner, while Universal's Kristin Lowe will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

According to Deadline, Cleveland is well-versed in the spy game, having worked as an analyst for the CIA over the past couple of years. Her book had been considered a rather hot commodity in Hollywood since its unveiling late last week (ends19Feb17), with several studios making offers for the rights before Universal eventually won the battle.

The film is one of several upcoming projects to feature the Monster actress. She appears opposite James McAvoy in The Coldest City, set to launch in July (17), and will star as a villain in the next instalment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious. The 41-year-old also recently wrapped Tully, an upcoming comedy that reunites her with her Young Adult collaborators, director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. She also serves as executive producer of the upcoming Netflix series Girlboss.

A release date for Need to Know has yet to be announced.