Slaughterhouse-Five Movie News Update: Guillermo Del Toro Recruits Writer Charlie Kaufman

Charlie Kaufman will adapt "Slaughterhouse-Five" for Guillermo del Toro's upcoming adaptation.

The long awaited adaptation was announced back in 2008 as part of del Toro's four-picture contract with Universal. However the film was put on hold while the Mexican director made "Pacific Rim" and wrote "The Hobbit." After a few years The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Del Toro has recruited Kaufman to adapt the Kurt Vonnegut novel.

The "Pacific Rim" director told the news source, "Charlie Kaufman and I talked for about an hour-and-a-half and came up with a perfect way of doing the book. I love the idea of the Trafalmadorians [the aliens of 'Slaughterhouse-Five'] -- to be 'unstuck in time,' where everything is happening at the same time. And that's what I want to do. It's just a catch-22. The studio will make it when it's my next movie, but how can I commit to it being my next movie until there's a screenplay? Charlie Kaufman is a very expensive writer! 'I"ll work it out.'"

Del Toro is currently promoting his new film "Pacific Rim." He will next work on "Crimson Peak " which is set to star Jessica Chastain, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mia Wasikowska, and Charlie Hunam.

While Del Toro works on these films, fans will have to guess what project will come after "Crimson Peak". Del Toro recently announced that he wanted to re-team with Cumberbatch for his adaptation of "Frankenstein" which was also announced back in 2008. Based on del Toro's work, his next film could be either one or a completely new work.

A few years ago del Toro was slated to direct "The Hobbit" but eventually left the project. He later moved on to work on Universal's "Mountains of Madness" but the project fell through. He eventually went on to direct his current effort "Pacific Rim."