William Hurt has signed onfor a lead role in Lighthouse for Vancouver-basedIrreverent Media.

The $13m mystery, fullyfinanced through private investors, is the feature debut of writer-directorFrederick Thorsen. Irreverent CEO Tom O'Brien is leadproducer while Michael Grais of Poltergeist fame is executive producer. Stockholm-based NonStop is handling world sales.

Described as a surreal storyabout a tormented soul, the film is inspired by the last words uttered by EdgarAllan Poe as he lay delusional speaking to his physician. A misunderstood andmiserable character finds himself the perfect lot in life: a keeper of alighthouse on an isolated island. But his life is shattered when he mistakenlets the light go out.

Other cast confirmed are Ewen Bremner, Henry Czerny, EllenPage and Kevin Zegers. Principally photography is setfor November, shooting outside of Vancouver. O'Brien says the delivery target is "pre-Cannes".