Clooney hops the blue line to Farragut North

George Clooney is keeping himself plenty busy. Not only does his thoughtful assassin-for-hire flick, The American, release today but he's also got Alexander Payne's The Descendents currently in post-production. Now he's looking to finally kick a long gestating project into high gear, as he's announced his intent to direct Farragut North, an adaptation of the 2008 off broadway play. Clooney first made his intentions known roughly three years ago before the play even debuted, but his heavy schedule helped put the plans on the backburner until now.

Farragut North is the story of political corruption and dirty campaign tactics loosely based on the 2004 presidential campaign of Democratic candidate, Howard Dean. It was written by Beau Willimon, a former Democratic party operative.

Both Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt were attached for roles, but both dropped out for various reasons. Clooney has more than made up for the lack of A-list star power by adding a number of solid, recognizable character actors. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti are already on board, and an offer will soon be made out to Chris Pine(Star Trek) who actually starred in the stage production. It's also said that Clooney has offers out to Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei. Clooney has a small but pivotal role in the film as well.

Am I crazy in thinking that Pitt and Dicaprio won't be missed at all? It's expected that filming will begin next February.

This will be Clooney's third directorial effort. His first was one of my favorite films of the decade, 2002's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, based on the controversial life of game show host/spy Chuck Barris. Most recently he directed 2005's Good Night and Good Luck, another film in my top 100 of the decade, about iconic newsman Edward R. Murrow and his crusade against the demogoguery perpetrated by Senator Joseph McCarthy.