Jon Amiel has come on board to direct comedy Old Timers (working title) for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.

Noah Haidle wrote the comedy, about two retired hitmen who enjoy a final night together before one of them faces a deadly decision.

Sidney Kimmel will produce. SKE president Jim Tauber and SKE president of creative affairs Bingham Ray will executive produce.

The script is out to talent now, with production is set to start in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Tauber said: “This is a suspenseful yet very funny story, with atmosphere and heart. Jon Amiel’s take on the material is sensational. And the two lead roles will doubtlessly attract top talent to this very exciting project.”

Amiel recently directed Charles Darwin story Creation starring Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. His past credits include Entrapment and The Man Who Knew Too Little.

Haidle is a playwright who has worked on theatre projects including Saturn Returns, Mr Marmalad, Rag and Bone and Persephone.

Amiel is represented by UTA, Dave Brown at Sleeping Giant and Walter Teller at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren & Richman.

Nick Hanks, SVP of legal and business affairs at Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, negotiated the deal on behalf of SKE.