LosAngeles-based Hyde Park Entertainment has signed David Ellis to direct the darkthriller Asylum, which becomes the latestproject to join Hyde Park International's (HPI) dynamic Cannes slate.

Thedeal represents a coup for Hyde Park as Ellis' upcoming thriller Snakes On APlane is tracking at a phenomenal level months ahead of itsUS release and has already achieved cult status on the internet.

HydePark will fully finance Asylum and plans to beginfilming later this year on the story of college freshmen who discover their dormitoryis a former mental institution.

HydePark partner Ashok Amritraj and Jessika Borsiczky are producing the projectbased on an original screenplay by Ethan Lawrence.

Ellisis completing work on Snakes On A Plane,which stars Samuel L Jackson and is set to open in North America through New Line on Aug18. His previous credits include Final Destination 2 and Cellular.

"Ilook forward to working with David on this project," Amritraj said. "Hisvisual style and ability will make this film something extremely interesting."

HydePark recently announced it will finance and produce the thriller DeathSentence from Saw creator James Wan through its five-year deal at Twentieth Century Fox.

Meanwhilethe thriller Premonition starring Sandra Bullock isnearing the end of post-production and is gearing up for release through TristarPictures.

HPI'sLisa Wilson will be selling both titles on the Croisette this week, along withmodern-day fairy tale Penelope starring Christina Ricci and Oscar winner ReeseWitherspoon, Iain Softley's as yet uncast mystery Trap For Cinderella, and the diamond heist thriller Flawless, whichstars Demi Moore and Michael Caine.

Ellisis represented by Endeavor and attorney Tom Hunter. Lawrence is represented byCAA.