EXCLUSIVE: Universal has struck a deal with IM Global for select international territories on The Secret In Their Eyes remake, set to commence production in late January in Los Angeles.

The studio has snapped up rights for the UK, Germany, France and Benelux.

IM Global fully finances the project and has closed further deals in Latin America (Sun), Australia (Roadshow), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Italy (Good Films) and Spain (Inopia).

Rights have also gone to Switzerland (Impuls), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), Greece (Spentzos), Hong Kong (Edko) and Israel (United King).

Chiwetel Eijofor stars alongside Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, in for Gwyneth Paltrow who withdrew due to scheduling issues.

Ray will direct from his adaptation of the original by Juan Jose Campanella. The remake has been reconfigured to centre on a former MI-5 agent haunted by an unsolved case who discovers a shocking truth about past events.

Mark Johnson and John Ufland are the producers and CAA represents US rights to the project.

IM Global’s AFM slate includes the Matthew McConaughey Civil War film Free State Of Jones, which Gary Ross will direct from his adapted screenplay.

The roster includes comedic drama Three Generations starring Naomi Watts, Susan Sarandon and Elle Fanning.