Producers Dan Shepherd and Justin Williams of UK-based Grandville Pictures are teaming with Lawrence Bender (An Inconvenient Truth, Kill Bill) and his producing partner Karen Barber for Los Angeles-set action comedy 818 (working title).

Andrzej Bartkowiak, the Polish-born cinematographer on Speed and The Devil's Advocate who has directed Doom and Cradle 2 The Grave, will direct. The project's budget will be about $20m-$25m depending on casting.

Newcomer Paul Staheli wrote the script, about a normal guy in Los Angeles who is pursued by strangers when he takes possession of a car that contains a package they want. Meanwhile, it's Valentine's Day and he had planned to propose to his girlfriend.

'It's in the same vein as [Scorsese's 1985 film] After Hours,' Williams said.

Shepherd added: 'It's a fast-moving, funny comedy. Bartkowiak has got a huge visual style and he's great working with actors.'

Grandville's first feature, comedy The Baker starring Damian Lewis, is making its market debut in Berlin via new UK sales company Bankside Films.

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