Will Ben Affleck star in 'Gone Girl'?

Will actor Ben Affleck headline a high-profile literary adaptation?

According to Deadline, Affleck is in talks to play husband Nick Dunne in the big-screen version of Gillian Flynn’s smash hit mystery novel “Gone Girl.” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” director David Fincher is already aboard to helm the film.

Flynn is working on the screenplay with Fincher, according to Deadline.

Affleck’s film “Argo,” which he directed, recently captured the Best Picture prize at the 2013 Oscars. He starred in the film and also appeared in the recent movies “To the Wonder” and “The Town,” which he also directed.

According to the website The Wrap, there are several actresses interested in the part of Amy, Nick’s wife who disappears on their fifth anniversary, including “Looper” star Emily Blunt, “Black Swan” actress Natalie Portman, and “Prometheus” star Charlize Theron. The Wrap says “an individual familiar with the project” gave them the shortlist. However, the Los Angeles Times says a “source close to the project” told them Portman’s out.

“Gone Girl” is still at number 11 on the New York Times combined print and e-book fiction bestseller list after having been released in the summer of 2012.