Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, How to Catch a Monster, will star Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men") in the lead role, it was announced today. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce on behalf of Marc Platt Productions, along with Ryan Gosling via his Phantasma Films banner, and Michel Litvak and David Lancaster via the Bold Films banner. Sierra / Affinity will handle international sales for the film which will be made available to buyers for the first time at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Principal photography for the film is scheduled to commence in the spring of 2013.

Ryan Gosling said, "I am very appreciative to Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Bold Films for being so supportive and I look forward to making this film with all of them."

Michel Litvak, Bold Films financier, said, "We have a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in Ryan, Christina, Marc and Adam, both personally and professionally. We responded immediately to Ryan's script, and look forward to nurturing the next phase of his career and continuing Bold's commitment to an artistically collaborative environment."

Producer, Marc Platt added, “We are thrilled to be producing Ryan Gosling's debut as a writer & director and continue our collaboration which began on 'Drive.' He has composed a beautifully haunting script and has a very clear vision of how he will bring it to life. His ability to draw audiences into his world as an actor will serve him well as a filmmaker."

"Ryan Gosling has established himself as a dynamic talent onscreen with incredible instincts, and that ability to connect with audiences will serve him well in the director’s chair." said Sierra’s Nick Meyer. "We are excited to be involved with the next phase of his career and look forward to bringing his directorial debut to the international marketplace."

Written and directed by Ryan Gosling, How to Catch a Monster weaves elements of fantasy noir, and suspense into a modern day fairytale. Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.

How to Catch a Monster marks Gosling’s first time writing and directing a feature film. Gosling is an Oscar-nominated actor having starred in films including Drive (co-starring Hendricks), Lars and the Real Girl and Half Nelson, for which he received his Academy Award nomination. Gosling also stars alongside Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes in Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond the Pines, which will premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

Allstar wrote:That's cute... He's trying to follow in the steps of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Durden_77 wrote:

Allstar wrote:That's cute... He's trying to follow in the steps of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

I hope your kidding...

That's cute... He's trying to follow in the steps of Tom Hardy and Ryan Gosling

Durden_77 wrote:To lazy to look back through pages lol, is that when Talli was referring to jgl copying Hardy for putting on mass or something.