Kevin Spacey is going back behind the camera to direct the story of Bobby Darin, the legendary crooner who died tragically of a rheumatic heart in 1973. Spacey will also star as Darin in the film which is being fully financed by MDP Worldwide, Mark Damon's sales and financing outfit which also backed The United States Of Leland, produced by Spacey's Trigger Street Productions in which he also had a supporting role.

Spacey made his directorial debut in 1996 with Albino Alligator starring Faye Dunaway, Matt Dillon and Gary Sinise. He recently starred in Alan Parker's The Life Of David Gale which played in competition at Berlin earlier this month.

Paramount Classics picked up a slew of rights including North America to The United States Of Leland which also stars Ryan Gosling, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Chris Klein and Don Cheadle at the recent Sundance Film Festival where the film world premiered in dramatic competition.