The companies will co-finance the $30m romantic thriller, which is set to begin shooting in Philadelphia on Monday (23) and stars starring Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper.

Niels Arden Oplev, who directed Rapace (pictured) in the Scandinavian smash The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, directs and Neal H Moritz’s Original Film is producing alongside screenwriter JH Wyman of Frequency Films. 

Dead Man Down is set in New York as a crime lord’s right hand man falls for and is seduced by a victim out for revenge.

“We’re incredibly excited at the classy cast that Niels and the producers have put together,” IM Global founder and CEO Stuart Ford said. “We’re going to make a sleek, stylish international thriller that‘s worthy of all the great talent involved.  We’re also delighted to have WWE Studios on board not only as our co-financing partner, but also as an integrated media company that can provide invaluable marketing support for the picture around the world.”

“When IM Global presented us with acclaimed director Niels Arden Oplev and the incredible cast led by Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace, we jumped at the chance to be a part of this production,” WWE Studios president Michael Luisi said. “This is exactly the type of collaboration we have been looking for to expand the WWE Studios brand.”