Sam Taylor-Wood will direct Ecosse Films' Nowhere Boy recounting the story of John Lennon's early years and his first steps towards superstardom.

Taylor-Wood, riding high after the Cannes screening of her debut short Love You More, plans a March 2009 shoot on location in Liverpool. Worldwide sales agent HanWay Films will introduce the project to buyers at Toronto.

The story charts the influence Lennon's aunt and mother played on the youngster's life and recounts how tragedy strikes in the early days of his friendship with Paul McCartney. Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae of Ecosse Films will produce and Matt Greenhalgh wrote the screenplay.

'I'm truly excited at the prospect of Sam Taylor-Wood bringing her singular artistic vision to the story,' Bernstein said. 'Combined with the genius of John Lennon I think that's a very arresting and dynamic combination.'

'I knew as I closed the final page that this was the film I had been looking to direct following Love You More,' Taylor-Wood said. 'The story spoke to me on so many levels - both personal and artistic The women in John's early life truly shaped who he became and the strengths and weaknesses of their relationships are central to this film.'

'Matt Greenhalgh's brilliant script tells the remarkable human story of one of the most iconic musicians the world has ever known, and the story behind the origin of the band that changed the world. Sam Taylor Wood's passion and vision for the project is thrilling, and we're honoured to be able to present this sought after and unique project,' said Tim Haslam, CEO of HanWay Films.

Ecosse and HanWay previously worked together on Becoming Jane and Brideshead Revisited, both of which were released by Miramax in North America.