Hollywood Reporter has just released news that New Line Cinema has won the rights to Ben Macintyre’s book, “Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal.” And, award-winning actor Tom Hanks, will develop it with his producing partner, Gary Goetzman.

The book, published last week by Harmony Books, centers on the true-life story of Eddie Chapman, a criminal, con man and philanderer who was recruited by the Nazis at the beginning of World War II. Chapman quickly became a master of espionage, and while on a mission to destroy an airplane factory in Britain, contacted the M15, Britain’s secret service, thus beginning his life as a double agent.

The bidding war, which ultimately came down to New Line and its Time Warner corporate sibling Warner Bros., was ignited by a dazzling review in the New York Times. Sources said New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye read the review and made it his mission to acquire the book. The deal was worth seven figures.

Warner Bros. made a movie about Chapman back in 1966 titled “Triple Cross.” The film, which starred Christopher Plummer, was based on a book titled “The Eddie Chapman Story.”