Daniel Barnz has signed on to direct the edgy romance Beastly for CBS Films.

Barnz also wrote the screenplay based on the novel of the same name by Alex Flinn about a handsome, 17-year-old boy who tries to find true love to break a curse that has transformed him physically.

Susan Cartsonis is producing through her company Storefront Films and Roz Weisberg serves as co-producer.

Barnz previously wrote and directed Phoebe In Wonderland that premiered at Sundace 2008.

‘Daniel’s fresh vision makes him one of the most exciting directors of his generation,’ CBS Films president and CEO Amy Baer said. ‘We are thrilled to partner with him as he brings his unique voice to arguably the most universally resonant myth in storytelling.’