Christian Bale is in early talks to star as Travis McGee in Fox’s adaptation of “The Deep Blue Goodbye.”

While there is no official offer, Bale has agreed to come on to star, and an offer should be coming shortly.

James Mangold just closed his deal to direct with Chernin Entertainment, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran producing for Appian Way along with Amy Robinson.

Written by John D. MacDonald in 1964, the book is the first in a series of 21 that followed McGee, a self-described “salvage consultant” who recovers others’ property for a fee and along the way gets into trouble fighting bad guys and wooing women.

Dennis Lehane penned the script with Scott Frank working on the most recent draft.

Bale, Fox and Chernin recently worked together on “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” which bows on Dec. 12.

Bale and Mangold are repped by WME. Mangold is also repped by Management 360.

Lehane is repped by IPG and Frank is repped by CAA.