Keanu keeps watch for Spike

Keanu Reeves has been lined up to star in Spike Lee's next movie.

10:17 17 November 2004

Keanu Reeves has signed up to play the lead role in Spike Lee's new film.

The iconic director is planning to team up with celebrated crime writer James Ellroy to bring The Night Watchman to the big screen.

Reeves is set to play a disgraced LA cop, who tries to save his career by exposing corruption within in his own department.

The film is based on an original Ellroy screenplay.

The author has written a series of best-selling novels, two of which have already spawned major movie projects.

LA Confidential (1997) was a huge success and helped make stars of Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce.

Another Ellroy-inspired film, The Black Dahlia, is scheduled for release next year starring Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett.

The Night Watchman is not expected to hit cinemas until 2006.