Ewan McGregor set to stare at "Goats"

By Nellie Andreeva and Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Ewan McGregor is in talks to join George Clooney in the Iraq-set drama "The Men Who Stare at Goats."

Based on the book by the Guardian columnist Jon Ronson, the Mandate Pictures project centres on a desperate reporter (McGregor) who stumbles upon the story of a lifetime when he meets a man (Clooney) who claims to be a former secret U.S. military psychic spy who was reactivated post-9/11.

Directed by Clooney's production partner Grant Heslov, "Goats" chronicles the pair's travels through Iraq and offers glimpses into the supposedly real secret Army unit tasked with creating soldiers with paranormal powers.

Clooney and Heslov's Smoke House and BBC Films are co-producing the feature, which is eyeing an early October production start date.

McGregor's recent films include "Miss Potter" and "Cassandra's Dream."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter