Ridley Scott is to direct the adaptation of the Robert Kurson bestseller
Shadow Divers, according to Variety.
Story follows two wreck divers who in 1991 discovered the hull of a German U-boat in waters off New Jersey. The divers spent seven years searching for the truth behind the ship and men who died inside it.
"We always felt this material was special, rich and emotional, with phenomenal characters who risked much to learn what fate befell these unknown soldiers at the end of WWII," Producer Gabler said.
"We brought in Bill Broyles, who did 'Cast Away' for us, and once we got his early draft, showed it to Ridley. He is a tough date, he doesn't say yes a lot, but he responded immediately," she added.