David Cronenberg has signed on to bring Don DeLillo’s Cosmopolis to the big screen.

Cronenberg will adapt the screenplay with “a view to eventually direct.”

Paulo Branco is producing the project through his Alfama Films, in a co-production with Cronenberg’s own Toronto Antenna Ltd.

Branco has been developing the project since February, and has put the budget at about $10m-$12m.

DeLillo’s story is about 24 traumatic hours in the life of a 28-year-old materialistic billionaire financier who loses all his wealth.

Branco said a shoot is planned for 2010 in Toronto and New York City, although Toronto Antenna said no timeline is set yet.