Alan Parker appears to be close to a deal to direct the drama The Life Of David Gale for Intermedia Films.

Written by Charles Randolph, the project tells the story of a professor who advocated banning capitol punishment who is falsely accused of murdering a fellow activist and is put on death row.

The project is expected to be a co-production between Parker's UK-based outfit Dirty Hands and Nicolas Cage's US company Saturn, which has a deal with Intermedia. Shooting is likely to start next spring.

Intermedia is understood to be taking international rights, with a US partner still to be confirmed. The project was reportedly put into turn-around at Warner Bros.

An Intermedia spokesperson declined to confirm Parker's involvement, while Dirty Hands was not immediately available for comment.