Exciting news today, as Steven Spielberg will develop the big-screen adaptation of "Pirate Latitudes," the last novel Michael Crichton completed shortly before his death. DreamWorks has acquired the rights to the book, and Spielberg may end up directing the project. I really hope he does.

The Hollywood Reporter says David Koepp, who worked with Spielberg on the adaptation of Crichton's "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," will write the adaptation. Koepp told the trade Crichton was one of the "most innovative writers of our era."

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David Koepp will be a busy man in the near future.

According to Variety, the filmmaker has signed on to develop two projects for Columbia Pictures.

First, he's set to co-write (with John Kamps) and direct "Billionaire's Vinegar," which is loosely based on the book by Benjamin Wallace.

The trade says the story is "about a scandal that erupted when an auctioned cache of wine purported to have been culled from the stocks of Thomas Jefferson were deemed fakes by some."

Koepp will also adapt Charles McCarry's novel "Shelley's Heart," a political drama about two friends who become rivals for the presidential election. The film's title will be changed to "Article II."

Koepp recently wrote and directed the charming comedy "Ghost Town." He also penned the screenplay for Ron Howard's "Angels & Demons."

Other Koepp credits include "Secret Window" and screenplays for "War of the Worlds," "Panic Room" and "Spider-Man."