Although it was initially expected to star “Mission Impossible” actor Tom Cruise, “Edwin A. Salt”, a Columbia Pictures espionage thriller due for release in 2010, will be adjusted by screenwriter Kurt Wimmer in order to have Angelina Jolie play the lead of the Philip Noyce-directed production, as reported by Variety.

The fresh mother is just around the corner of closing a deal to impersonate the title character, a CIA officer who is accused by a turncoat of being a Russian sleeper spy and has to avoid getting caught so as to prove her own innocence.

Although Tom Cruise had showed himself very interested in the part, and so had other several male film superstars, Angelina Jolie was attracted by the offer, encouraging the studio’s decision to redraft the script.

The movie produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash will most likely experience a title change, since the main persona of the film changed its gender overnight. However, sources said the project would not require many modifications in order to suit Angelina Jolie, Variety reported.

If the beautiful actress closes the deal, the film may serve as a return vehicle for her after recently giving birth to twins. However, another alternative for Jolie’s comeback is the Lionsgate drama “Atlas Shrugged,” adapted by Randall Wallace from the Ayn Rand novel.

Jolie’s next big-screen release will be Clint Eastwood’s “The Changeling”, in theaters October 24.