On Monday, Lionsgate Entertainment announced it had acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film version of Michael Connelly’s THE LINCOLN LAWYER.

TLL was published in 2005 and is about Mickey Haller, a criminal defense attorney that works out of his Lincoln Town car. He typically handles low level stuff like con artists, drunk drivers and drug dealers. He soon finds himself in the middle of a huge case that appeals to his long dormant sense of justice. Matthew McConaughey is playing Mickey, with Oscar winner Marisa Tomei playing Maggie McPherson, a prosecuting attorney and ex-wife of Mickey.

Brad Furman (THE TAKE) will direct, with the screenwriting duties handled by John Romano (NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, INTOLERABLE CRUELTY). Tommy Lee Jones had previously been attached to co-star and direct, but left due to creative differences (which could mean anything from a difference of opinion in terms of the script to him not liking the color of his trailer).

It was also announced that the cast includes Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena, Trace Adkins, and Katherine Moennig. While no roles have been attached to the aforementioned actors, I am guessing that Phillippe is playing Louis Ross Roulet, a rich L.A. real estate agent that Mickey defends.

Production starts in July.