RenaissanceFilms, the UK production and sales outfit run by Stephen Evans and AngusFinney, is teaming up with LA-based Catch 23 Entertainment to finance NeilLabute's next film Vapor which he will begin after he has completed the currently-shootingThe Shape Of Things.

Based on thefirst novel by Amanda Fillipacchi, which Labute is currently adapting, the filmis a contemporary Pygmalion story set in New York City. Gail Mutrux, Labute'sproducer on Nurse Bettyand The Shape Of Thingswill produce Vapor.

Although Labutehas a first-look deal at USA Films, USA is not involved as yet in Vapor. Labute says that he has targeted ReneeZellwegger and Ralph Fiennes for the lead roles, although neither has yet beenapproached.

Catch 23 is thetwo year-old production and management company founded by financier Robert BSturm and run by Jeremy Barber; it has to date been involved on a financingbasis in One Hour Photo with Robin Williams and has numerous films indevelopment on both sides of the Atlantic.

Renaissance, whichlate last year sold Rose Troche's The Safety Of Objects to IFC Films and Paul McGuigan's TheReckoning to ParamountClassics, is also developing films with Terry Gilliam, Nicholas Hytner andRoger Michell.