November 7, 2015 - 18:38 AMT
Jason Bateman joins Liam Neeson in spy thriller “Felt”

Jason Bateman will join Liam Neeson and Diane Lane in true-life spy thriller “Felt,” portraying an FBI agent, Variety reports.

Shooting is set for March. Neeson came on board this week as special agent Mark Felt, who revealed himself as “Deep Throat” — the key source during the Washington Post’s investigation into the Watergate break-in by White House employees.

Peter Landesman will direct from his own script and produce.

MadRiver Pictures will finance and produce, alongside Scott Free Productions, Playtone and Cara Films. Ridley Scott, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Giannina Scott, Marc Butan, Christopher Woodrow and Jay Roach will produce. Steven Shareshian and Michael Schaefer will executive produce alongside Michael Bassick and Steven Marshall.

CAA arranged the financing and is currently selling the domestic rights at the American Film Market. Sierra/Affinity is handling the foreign rights.

Bateman will play FBI Agent and Felt lieutenant Charlie Bates, who discovers that Felt is leaking classified information on the Watergate investigation and is conflicted about whether to destroy his mentor or protect him.

Bateman’s “The Family Fang” premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.