Before the influx of Comic-Con-related news hits us — most of it pertaining to films that will, more or less, never be discussed after their opening weekend — Deadline tells of an adaptation that might actually bring something to the table. As it goes, Reese Witherspoon and 20th Century Fox have made a big-scale deal for Gillian Flynn‘s best-selling novel, Gone Girl, which the author will be writing herself. (This is one of three films based on her work that’s currently in development; Amy Adams will star in Dark Places, while Blumhouse have the rights to Sharp Objects.)

It hasn’t been said if Witherspoon will have a role — though I sort of figure it’s the case, who knows — but she will, regardless, produce through her company, Pacific Standard, alongside Bruna Papandrea and Leslie Dixon. Like the source material, Gone Girl will revolve around the disappearance of Amy Dunne — who vanishes from sight on her fifth anniversary — and how her husband, Nick, is the primary suspect.

While Gone Girl might sound like standard potboiler material when quickly glanced over, the reviews have been pretty complimentary toward Flynn‘s story, as well as the way her characters are constructed. A good start, I’d say, especially when you remember that she’ll be handling the script herself; now, for that simple task of finding the right director and stars.

Do you have a positive impression of Gone Girl, based on what’s been established?