UFO - the movie

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Veteran visual effects supervisor Matthew Gratzner is attached to make his directorial debut on "UFO," the feature adaptation of the '70s TV series.

Gratzner was visual effects supervisor on the upcoming Martin Scorsese-directed "Shutter Island," and his vfx resume includes "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," "Hancock," "Iron Man" and "Alien: Resurrection."

The film was optioned from rights holder ITV Global by the Robert Evans Co., where producers Evans, Henri Kessler and Avi Haas will be joined by Gratzner's New Deal Studios to move the project forward.

A script has been written by Ryan Gaudet and Joseph Kanarek. Gratzner's studio has begun developing concept art and pre-visualizations; after they're completed, the picture will be shopped for financing.

Like the Gerry Anderson series, the film will revolve around Shado (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization), a secret military operation hidden beneath a Hollywood studio, whose operatives battle an alien race that has been kidnapping and killing humans for decades and using the body parts.

"The story, characters and situations Mr. Anderson created in 'UFO' are timeless and engaging," Gratzner said. "My vision is to utilize visual effects as a supportive storytelling device that draws audiences into this universe."

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"Fringe" star Joshua Jackson will topline "UFO," the feature film version of the British TV series that will be directed by visual effects wiz Matthew Gratzner.

Jackson will star as Paul Foster, a test pilot who joins S.H.A.D.O. (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization), a covert org built under a Hollywood studio that defends Earth against a race of aliens who have been abducting humans and using the body parts.

The series was a cult hit in the '70s.

Pic is produced by Henri M. Kessler and Avi Haas, who have a first-look deal with the Robert Evans Co.

Graztner, the visual effects supervisor on films ranging from the Martin Scorsese-directed "Shutter Island" to "Iron Man," was set last summer to make his feature directing debut on a film that its producers said is aiming for a spring start in the U.K.

"Character development is the most critical part of 'UFO,' and Joshua's terrific talent and range is exactly what I need to convey the inner conflict of the character of Paul Foster," Gratzner said.

Rights for the Gerry Anderson-created series were optioned from ITV Global, and the script was written by Ryan Gaudet and Joseph Kanarek.