The critically acclaimed films "Gone Baby Gone" and "Mystic River" are also based on Lehane's novels.

"Night Watch" and "Alexander" writer Laeta Kalogridis wrote the adaptation of "Shutter Island," which will reunite Scorsese and DiCaprio, who have previously collaborated on "Gangs of New York," "The Aviator" and "The Departed."

DiCaprio is in final talks to play a U.S. marshal investigating the disappearance of a female killer who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and who is believed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island in 1954, Variety.com reported Tuesday.

Production on the film is to begin in March.

Scouting will begin shortly on the film, which most likely will shoot in Massachusetts, Connecticut or Nova Scotia, the trade paper said.