John Woo has signed on todirect a noir thriller in Beijing to be produced by Bristol Bay Productions,Studio Canal and Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions.

Set in modern-day Chinaagainst the background of emerging capitalism, the story centres on a visitingAmerican family that becomes embroiled in a clash between government officialsand the criminal underworld. Don MacPherson wrote the screenplay.

Woo and Chang will produceand Lion Rock's Caroline Macaulay is serving as executive producer.

"We are truly thrilled to beworking with John Woo on this project," Bristol Bay's executive vice presidentof production Lenny Kornberg said. "Setting his unique vision loose in Beijingwill make for a thrilling cinematic experience."

Woo is represented by CAAand Tom Hansen of Hansen, Jacobson. Kornberg and vice president of productionJackie Levine will oversee the project for Bristol Bay, with Chang and Macaulayoverseeing at Lion Rock and Ron Halpern overseeing at Studio Canal.

Senior vice president ofbusiness and legal affairs Jim Meenaghan negotiated the deal on behalf ofBristol Bay Productions, whose credits include Ray, Sahara, and The Game Of Their Lives.