Daniel Craig eyes psychological thriller

Daniel Craig can shake, but can he stir?

The latest James Bond has proved a critical and commercial success in his two turns in the iconic role, for Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace. But he has been deliberate in choosing his next live-action role.

Now comes word he is in early talks to star in Dream House, a psychological thriller to be directed by Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan for indie producer Morgan Creek - though principals stress that the two sides have not reached a deal.

In the David Loucka script, Craig would play a man who moves his family to an idyllic small town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants who were murdered there.

With a pedigreed director like Sheridan (In America, My Left Foot), the movie would accomplish the goal of branching Craig out into a more prestige direction post-Quantum while keeping him in the realm of the commercial.

Like other Bond actors, Craig has faced a crossroads coming off Bond hits.

His two other roles, Munich and Defiance, saw him essentially take on a more art-house version of the Bond character -a hit man and vigilante.

Craig already has shown interest in more boutique fare, recently signing for the Broadway drama A Steady Rain.

His name has also surfaced in connection with The Eagle Of The Ninth, Kevin Macdonald's period pic for Focus Features.

- Reuters