Fight Club stars Brad Pitt and Ed Norton are to appear on screen together once again in a big screen adaptation of the BBC political drama series State of Play.

The Last King of Scotland's Kevin MacDonald will direct the Hollywood production, which will relocate the action from Westminster to Washington. Norton will take on the role made famous by David Morrissey in Paul Abbott's original series, a politician (now Congressman) who may or may not have a sinister role in the death of his mistress.

Pitt will take the John Simm role of a journalist and former friend of the politician who uncovers evidence of foul play in the woman's death, which may be linked to a wider conspiracy involving corruption of elected representatives by agents for the oil industry. It will be the first time Pitt and Norton have worked together since Fight Club. David Fincher's 1999 film is now recognised as a cult classic despite failing to set the box office alight upon its original release.

The film is scheduled to go into production in November, once Norton has finished work on The Incredible Hulk. Matthew Michael Carnahan, who penned the forthcoming Middle East-set arms drama The Kingdom, is writing the new version.