Schwentke can get HBO's 'Lobotomist'

Robert Schwentke remains attracted onto direct the Cinemax drama pilot "The Lobotomist," with Daniel Thomsen aboard to produce the script. Schwentke, who helmed "Time Traveler's Wife," may even professional produce with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Killoran of Appian Way, Kaira Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis of Mythology Entertainment, and Mike Medavoy. Thomsen will co-professional produce and Aaron Criswell is positioned just like a co-producer. Inspired with the meteoric increase and lower of Dr. Walter Freeman, "The Lobotomist" notifies the story of just one man's pursuit to affect the planet using a new, experimental nuclear physics. However, if the maverick physician want to visit any measures to achieve his goals, his existence careens uncontrollable -- within the amounts of worldwide recognition for the tabloids, while using good status for mental health care, changed within the wake. Pilot, that might eventually really are a series, is founded on it "The Lobotomist" by author Jack El-Hai. The project came to exist when DiCaprio, "Shutter Island" professional producer and author Kalogridis, and producer Fischer were concentrating on the Martin Scorsese film and gravitated toward El-Hai's book while researching a history of lobotomy. Mythology optioned it and, together with DiCaprio and also the production shingle, Appian Way, needed it to Cinemax. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com