John Madden has been set to direct Murder Mystery, a comedic whodunit movie that Charlize Theron will co-produce and is negotiating to star in. James Vanderbilt wrote the script, and he is producing with Tripp Vinson, Beau Flynn, Endgame Entertainment’s James D. Stern, Tower Hill’s William Shively, and Theron through her Denver and Delilah Productions. Endgame’s Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith will oversee production, and Doug E. Hansen will executive produce. The plan is for a first-quarter 2013 production start, with Endgame and Tower Hill financing. The film is described as an “affectionate deconstruction” of an Agatha Christie tale involving comedy, action, and mystery around an American couple abroad.

Madden is coming off helming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the Fox Searchlight hit that has crossed $100 million in global box office. He is repped by CAA and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. Vanderbilt is repped by WME and UFUS, and Theron by WME.