George Clooney picked up the rights to direct a big-screen adaptation of the off-Broadway play Farragut North about three years ago.  He had aspirations to cast Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. 

Today Clooney’s plans to direct the political drama about campaign dirty tricks written by former Democratic political operative Beau Willimon seems to have jelled.  He hopes to start production in February with a cast that includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti.  Even Chris Pine might join the production playing Stephen Myers, which Pine played on stage in LA.

According to Vulture via ACIN, first reported this development, Clooney has offers out to Evan Rachel Wood (to play a teen staffer with whom Myers has a sexual dalliance) and Marisa Tomei (for the role of a probing journalist). We also hear Clooney plans take a small role in the movie.  

There are more facts to this production such as Clooney take on a minor role with Vulture guessing the political candidate.