James Franco adapting 'The Killer Next Door' for big screen

Actor-filmmaker James Franco and actress Ahna O'Reilly are developing a movie version of British author Alex Marwood's murder mystery novel "The Killer Next Door".

Franco and Vince Jolivette will produce the film through their Rabbit Bandini Productions, along with O'Reilly, who may take on the lead role, reports variety.com.

Marwood's debut novel, "The Wicked Girls" earned her the Edgar Award for paperback original. "The Killer Next Door", published last year, centers on six neighbours forced into an unlikely alliance without realising that one of them is a killer who will do anything to protect his secret.

Franco and Jolivette have become prolific independent producers. Franco directed and produced a pair of indie dramas this year - "In Dubious Battle", based on John Steinbeck's 1936 novel, and "The Long Home", based on William Gay's coming-of-age story set in 1940s rural Tennessee.

The 37-year-old has also directed two adaptations of William Faulkner novels: 2014's "The Sound and the Fury", which played at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, and 2013's "As I Lay Dying".

Franco was last seen in "The Interview", which he executive produced. He also produced and starred in the drama "I Am Michael", which premiered at Sundance in January, portraying Michael Glatze's change in identity from gay-rights activist to Christian pastor.