Sturgess Is Captivated By "Eliza Graves"

Jim Sturgess will star in the long-gestating horror thriller Eliza Graves says Heat Vision.

Based on author Edgar Allan Poe's The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether--the story follows a medical student (Sturgess) who goes to work at a mental asylum, unaware that the inmates are now literally running it. He becomes obsessed with the title character (Kate Beckinsale), one of the patients

Joseph Gangemi ("Wind Chill") wrote the adapted script.

"The Machinist" and "Session 9" director Brad Anderson replaced "Paranormal Activity" helmer Oren Peli as director.

Peli is still involved as a producer with Bruce Davey, Mark Amin, Cami Winikoff and Mel Gibson.

David Higgins, Christa Campbell, and Lati Grobman are executive producing the film

A June 21 production start date in Bulgaria is being eyed.