The Playlist has an exclusive about writer-director Gary Ross picking up the languishing MATT HELM project after Steven Spielberg decided to pass on it after fighting hard to keep it under his control following DreamWorks' split from Paramount.

A source tells The Playlist that the Sony SPIDER-MAN spin-off VENOM that Ross is lined up to write and potential direct is still a ways off and will have to wait for MATT HELM to wrap first. Shooting is expected to begin next summer if all goes to plan.

MATT HELM was originally developed for George Clooney, who later passed on the project, and Bradley Cooper appears closest in line to pick up the role right now, according to The Playlist.