Los Angeles-based Hyde ParkEntertainment has signed David Ellis to direct the dark thriller Asylum, which becomes the latest project to join Hyde ParkInternational's Cannes slate.

The deal represents a coup for Hyde Park as Ellis' upcoming thrillerSnakes On A Plane istracking at a phenomenal level months ahead of its US release and has alreadyachieved cult status on the internet.

Hyde Park will fully finance Asylum and plans to begin filming later thisyear on the story of college freshmen who discover their dormitory is a formermental institution.

Hyde Park partner Ashok Amritraj and Jessika Borsiczky areproducing the project based on an original screenplay by Ethan Lawrence.

Ellis is currently completing work on Snakes On A Plane, which stars Samuel L Jackson and is setto open in North America through New Line on Aug 18. His previous creditsinclude Final Destination 2 and Cellular.

'I look forward to workingwith David on this project,' Amritraj said. 'His visual style andability will make this film something extremely interesting.'

Hyde Park recently announced it will finance and produce thethriller Death Sentence from Saw creatorJames Wan through its five-year deal at 20th Century Fox.

Meanwhile the thriller Premonition starring Sandra Bullock is nearing theend of post-production and is gearing up for release through Tristar Pictures.

Hyde Park International's LisaWilson will be selling both titles on the Croisette this week, along withmodern-day fairy tale Penelope starringChristina Ricci and Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, Iain Softley's as yetuncast mystery Trap For Cinderella,and the diamond heist thriller Flawless, which stars Demi Moore and Michael Caine.

Ellis is represented by Endeavor and attorney Tom Hunter. Lawrenceis represented by CAA.

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