Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough are to star in Relativity Media’s upcoming adaptation of Nicholas Sparks novel Safe Haven.

The film, a romantic thriller about a young woman who arrives in a small town and starts a relationship with a widowed father, is set to start production next month in Southport, North Carolina and be released on Feb 8 next year. Lasse Hallström will direct, with Temple Hill Entertainment’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey producing alongside Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh.

Sparks, who recently launched his production company, Nicholas Sparks Productions, will also produce. Relativity’s Tucker Tooley will serve as executive producer. The screenplay is written by Dana Stevens and Les Bohem. Relativity previously teamed up with Hallström, Bowen, Godfrey and Sparks on the 2010 box office hit Dear John.

Duhamel was represented by ICM, John Carrabino Management and Hansen, Jacobsen & Teller in the deal. Hough was represented by CAA and Azoff, Geary, Paul, Smith Management.