The US filmmaker has selected his next project, a contemporary thriller about an unstable Iraq War veteran who forges a strange bond with a politically ambitious retail magnate.

Filming is scheduled to commence in Texas in July and Darko Entertainment, the company Kelly set up with his producing partner Sean McKittrick and financier Ted Hamm, will co-finance and produce. McKittrick and Kelly serve as producers alongside horror director Eli Roth.

Darko, whose credits include the cult phenomenon Donnie Darko, is represented by CAA, who is packaging and handling sales on the film. The producers are out to cast and expect to make further announcements in March.

Among Darko’s upcoming projects is the screen version of Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, a joint venture with Natalie Portman’s handsomecharlie production company that Lionsgate is financing and will distribute.

Recent projects include Bobcat Goldthwait’s dark comedy World’s Greatest Dad starring Robin Williams and the film version of Tucker Max’s memoirs I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.