By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Coming out of the gate with a recent Oscar win, Forest Whitaker is already readying more major projects.

According to 'The Hollywood Reporter,' the 'Last King of Scotland' star is in final negotiations with Fox Searchlight for the film 'The Night Watchman.'

Based on an original idea by best-selling novelist James Ellroy, 'Watchman' centers on a veteran LAPD cop -- Keanu Reeves is reportedly attached to the role -- who turns to alcohol after the death of his wife. The cop is forced to go up against his longtime mentor when he is implicated in the execution of a fellow officer.

Whitaker is being tapped to play the mentor.

'Training Day' screenwriter David Ayer is expected to helm the project, with production slated for May 21.

The film will mark Whitaker's first project since his Academy Award win (for Best Actor).

The Emmy Award winner just completed the Peter Travis drama 'Vantage Point,' and voiced a character for Spike Jonez's forthcoming fantasy adventure 'Where the Wild Things Are.'

The Longview, Texas native is currently filming the Los Angeles crime drama 'Winged Creatures.' The indie film -- directed by Rowan Woods -- reportedly has attracted the attention of Whitaker's fellow Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

Both new-school history makers are represented by the William Morris Agency.

Many of Leonard's tomes have been made into films, most notably 'Get Shorty, 'Out of Sight,' and 'Jackie Brown.'

Whitaker will return to his role as Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh in the sixth season of the hit FX series 'The Shield,' which premieres on April 3.