Regency Enterprises has made a deal for Kiefer Sutherland to topline "The Sentinel," a suspense pic based on the novel by former Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich. "SWAT" helmer Clark Johnson is attached to helm and George Nolfi ("Ocean's Twelve") wrote the script says Variety.

Sutherland, currently shooting the fourth season of Fox's successful thriller TV series "24," will star as a Secret Service agent enmeshed in an furtive affair with the first lady. When another agent is murdered, he becomes a suspect and is caught up in what may be a plot to assassinate the president.

Shooting is slated to start in Toronto this May. Johnson isn't the first director attached either, MIB man Barry Levinson was as well when the project was setup at Paramount.

Thanks to 'KC'.