Kevin Costner in Talks to Play Chris Pine's Mentor in JACK RYAN

The upcoming and much delayed film, which until recently was in development under the working Moscow, will feature the return to the big screen of Tom Clancy's most famous character.

Starring Chris Pine (Star Trek) in the title role, Jack Ryan is the latest film to feature author Clancy's popular character who has previously played by Alec Baldwin in The Hunt for Red October, Harrison Ford in Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games and Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears.

The film will follow Ryan, an ex-Marine turned financial analyst living in Moscow who uncovers a terrorist plot to devalue American currency and thus destroy the U.S. economy masterminded by Viktor Stazov, a financial wiz in league with the Russian government.

Kenneth Branagh, director of Marvel's Thor and recent star of My Week With Marilyn), has been tapped to direct Jack Ryan and is currently in negotiations to play its villain. Last week it was revealed that Keira Knightley (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) and Evangeline Lilly (Lost) are in contention for the film's female lead -- future wife to Pine's Ryan.

Kevin Costner, who stars in next summers Superman reboot Man of Steel as Jonathan 'Pa' Kent, is said to be in negotiations for the Jack Ryan co-lead. The role is an original creation, a mentor who recruits and educates the young Ryan. It is based closely on Patriot Games' Admiral Greer played by Earl Jones -- who may also appear in this film.

At this time Paramount has not scheduled a theatrical release or production start date for the project.