Universal Acquires US Rights to Film Adaptation of Tinker,Tailer, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

Deadline|New York is reporting that Universal has acquired the US rights to the 2011 film adaptation of John le Carré's 1974 spy thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The novel, featuring British intelligence officer George Smiley, is the first in what is commonly known as the Karla Trilogy. The film, now in post-production, stars Gary Oldman as Smiley.

The book was previously adapted for a 7-part BBC television mini-series that aired in 1979, and starred Alec Guinness as the fictional spy.

The plot follows Smiley as he embarks on a mission to catch a Soviet mole, who has been operating within the "Circus" for some thirty years.

The film is being released in the UK in September, 2011. Universal is looking at a November or December release date this year.