Zac Efron will produce and star in John Grisham's 'The Associate'

LOS ANGELES, April 3 (UPI) -- Zac Efron will produce and star in an upcoming adaptation of John Grisham's novel, The Associate.

The High School Musical alum's company Ninjas Runnin' Wild will produce the film alongside Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher at Red Wagon Entertainment. Ninjas produced Efron's most recent film, That Awkward Moment.

The actor will play Yale graduate Kyle McAvoy, a lawyer who finds himself blackmailed by criminals. McAvoy must take a position at the fictional Scully & Pershing, the world's largest law firm, in order to spy on the company and report on their work with two defense contractors.

Shia LaBeouf was previously attached to star, but backed out after he announced his intent to retire from public life.

The Associate is currently in development.

[The Hollywood Reporter]