Christian Bale is in talks to star in 'The Deep Blue Good-by'.

'The Dark Knight Rises' star is in negotiations with Fox to take on the role of Travis McGee in the upcoming adaptation of the John D. MacDonald novel of the same name, Variety reports.

The book is the first in a series of 21 that follow McGee, a self described ''savage consultant'' who recovers people's property for a fee and along the way gets caught up in trouble fighting bad guys and wooing women.

While no official offer has been made as of yet, Bale is said to have agreed to star and an offer is expected to be announced shortly.

James Mangold will direct the film for Chernin Entertainment while 'The Wolf of Wall Street' star Leonardo Dicaprio and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran are to produce for Appian Way alongside Amy Robinson.

Dennis Lehane penned the script, adapting MacDonald's novel for the big screen, while Scott Frank has been working on the most recent draft.

Bale recently worked with both Fox and Chernin entertainment on 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' - in which he plays Moses - which is set for release on December 12 2014.