From a post-apocalyptic landscape last night to a chess table this evening, Tobey Maguire is certainly spreading out his options when it comes to possible projects. We got word over two years ago that David Fincher was looking at The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and a drama surrounding chess wizard Bobby Fischer starring Tobey Maguire, among other projects, in a post-The Social Network world. We obviously knew what he chose, but now, years later the project has gained some steam with a new director.

Deadline reports that The Last Samurai and Glory director Ed Zwick has now stepped up to helm the project, which focuses on the all-important 1972 match between Fischer and Boris Spassky, known by many as “The Match of the Century.” This highly publicized Cold War era match ended a 24-year Soviet victory streak, making Fischer the first official American World Champion.

Scripted by Eastern Promises‘ Steven Knight, I could have seen what Fincher would bring to the project. After making the creation of Facebook riveting, I had no doubt he could do it with a chess match, but I’m also curious what Zwick sees in the film as his style is usually more epic (aside from Love and Other Drugs and some of his early films). We’ll have to wait and see though, as Zwick’s next project is the delayed adventure film The Great Wall, which will finally go into production this spring. After that, he could certainly jump to this one, or even sooner if that China-set feature falls part.

Are you excited to see Zwick take on a chess drama?