EXCLUSIVE: Renny Harlin will direct an as-yet-untitled thriller set in Russia’s Ural Mountains.

The fact-based film is about a mysterious incident in 1959, when nine experienced hikers were found dead. The film will be able contemporary students on a trek to investigate the mystery.

Producers will be Alexander Rodnyansky, Kia Jam, Harlin and Sergei Bespalov.

Aldamisa International will handle international sales.

The project will start shooting on location in Russia in March.

Harlin, who previously directed The Long Kiss Goodnight, Cliffhanger and Die Hard 2, said: “I was fascinated by this story, which remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of modern paranormal lore.  The facts, the script and the very dramatic setting convinced me that there is a thrilling movie there, just waiting to rivet audiences.”

Rodnyansky, who is also a producer of Berlin Competitor Jayne Mansfield’s Car by Billy Bob Thornton, said: “We are really excited to be working with Renny Harlin on this film; he is the ideal filmmaker to bring this eerie and suspenseful story to life. I look forward to producing this project with him and with Kia Jam, and we are enthusiastic about introducing it to buyers at EFM.”