Blake Lively joins spy thriller by bond producers

'The Shallows' star Blake Lively is all set to star in an espionage thriller from James Bond producers EON Productions and IM Global.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'The Rhythm Section', an adaptation of the first book in Mark Burnell's four novel series, will be produced by IM Global and Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, which is responsible for the last eight Bond films.

The movie focusses on Stephanie Patrick who, after the death of her family in an airplane crash on a flight that she was meant to be on, discovers the crash was not an accident.

She then seeks to uncover the truth by adapting the identity of an assassin to track down those responsible.

Production will begin later this year with 'The Handmaid's Tale filmmaker Reed Morano set to direct.

"It is exciting for us to be working with the immensely talented team of director Reed Morano and actress Blake Lively, who have a strong vision for this very compelling story driven by a female protagonist," Wilson and Broccoli said in a statement.

IM Global founder Stuart Ford added, "In Stephanie Patrick, Mark has created a unique female heroine who turns so many of the current cinematic cliches surrounding so-called "kickass" female leads on their head. To be bringing such a fresh, realistic and bold international thriller to the big screen with EON Productions, Reed and Blake is an exciting proposition for us all at IM Global.