Helen Mirren to star in John Madden’s “Debt”

Miramax has tapped Helen Mirren to play a Mossad agent in “The Debt” which will be directed by John  Madden.

Miramax acquired worldwide rights to “The Debt,” an English-language remake of Israeli thriller “Ha-hov” about three Israeli Mossad agents tracking down a Nazi war criminal over 30 years, in April.

Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldmanis (”Stardust” co-writer) will pen the script.

“Helen Mirren is the perfect choice for the central role – a national celebrity and retired Mossad agent, a formidable and dignified woman grappling with years of emotional disappointment, suddenly confronted by a powerful and unexpected choice,”

said Madden.

Filming is set to start next year in the U.K., Germany and Israel.