"Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf will play the lead role in Mandate Pictures’ "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman," the company announced Thursday.
Dante Ariola will direct the romantic actioner from Matt Drake’s original screenplay. The script was featured on the 2007 Black List of best unproduced screenplays.
Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Productions will produce along with William Horberg. Dean Parisot and Mandate president Nathan Kahane will executive produce. Bona Fide’s Carlo Martinelli will serve as a co-producer.
The film is being fast-tracked for a fall 2010 shoot, and Lionsgate plans to launch international sales in Cannes next month.