Peter Webber, who directed the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Girl with a Pearl Earring and Hannibal Rising, will direct Timothy Burrill's next production The Spider's House. Burrill's co-producer credits include La Vie En Rose and Swimming Pool.

The screenplay for The Spider's House is by Laurie Cooke is based on the novel by Paul Bowles. The story follows two former lovers who meet by chance in the medieval city of Fez, Morocco just as insurgents attempt to destabilise the country. The project was developed by Matrix Film Finance.

'I could not be more delighted that the very talented Peter Webber shares my enthusiasm for telling a story that we both feel has the capacity to really move and entertain audiences around the world' said producer Timothy Burrill.

Principal photography is due to start in early 2009 in Morocco.