When you think of Kennedy conspiracy theories and movie directors, you usually think of Oliver Stone. But, another talented filmmaker is helming a JFK project that will attempt to put a new spin on the decades old assassination. David Mamet will direct BLACKBIRD and has nabbed Cate Blanchett to star.

Variety reports that BLACKBIRD will be produced by SBS Productions, the French based group behind Roman Polanski's CARNAGE, David Cronenberg's upcoming MAPS TO THE STARS, and Brian De Palma's PASSION. BLACKBIRD is described as being a Hitchcockian thriller and the synopsis certainly sounds like something Hitch would have made:

Blanchett plays Janet, who travels to Los Angeles for the funeral of her grandfather, a Hollywood visual effects artist who moonlighted for U.S. special ops agencies. Her grandfather’s well-kept secrets become a threat to her, forcing Janet to discover the truth about a man who dedicated his life to making illusion reality.

Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses and David Mamet is at his best when he is making movies like this. THE SPANISH PRISONER remains one of my all time favorite movies that no one has ever heard of. If Mamet can make this anything like that, we will be in for a cinematic treat.