Variety is reporting that Bronx-born actor Gabriel Macht will play Denny Colt, the eponymous hero of Will Eisner's The Spirit in Frank Miller's film adaptation, which starts shooting in October and is due out in 2009.  Macht played John Russell, Jr. in The Good Shepard (2006) and is starring opposite Kate Beckinsale in Domenic Sena's adaptation of Greg Rucka's Whiteout that will debut in the first quarter of 2008.  Miller insisted that all the actors who wanted the lead role for the film audition, and Macht won the role thanks to his ability to suggest the dry wit that was the hallmark of Eisner's signature creation.

In The Spirit, detective Denny Colt fakes his own death and patrols Central City from his lair in the Wildwood Cemetery.  In Miller's movie The Spirit goes up against a ruthless crime lord known as 'The Octopus,' who will be played by Samuel L. Jackson.  Look for additional cast announcements for the film during the next few weeks.