Anything David Fincher turns his attention to is worth getting excited over, but throw crime novelist James Ellroy (The Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential) into the mix and we could be looking at something really special.

According to a new report, the duo may be teaming up for a series on HBO, the American cable network responsible for the likes of Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and True Detective. Though little is known in terms of plot details at this stage, it will be set in 1950s Los Angeles, and that type of crime noir setting is one which is very familiar to Ellroy. Talks between them and HBO are now said to be ongoing.

David Fincher was at one point set to adapt Ellroy’s The Black Dahlia, but plans for their collaboration fell through and Brian De Palma would instead helm a version which got a very mixed reception back in 2006. Fincher’s plan at the time was to turn it into an $80 million TV miniseries starring Mark Wahlberg.

A number of Ellroy’s novels are in various stages of production (mostly rumours though), but this could be the next one to actually happen should talks go well. This isn’t the only small screen project that David Fincher is planning however, as the Gone Girl director is also looking to remake Utopia.

Things are obviously at a very early stage at this point, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated!