Posted: Mon., Feb. 2, 2009, 3:24pm PT

John Carpenter signs on to 'Ward'

Director to helm ghost story for Echo Lake

By Michael Speier

Carpenter

Director John Carpenter is back, signing on to direct ghost story "The Ward" for indie Echo Lake.

Amber Heard ("Pineapple Express") will star as a haunted woman in a mental institution.

Carpenter hasn't directed a feature since "Ghosts of Mars" in 2001; "The Informers," starring Heard and helmed by Gregor Jordan, bowed in Sundance.

"The Ward" will be produced by Echo Lake's Doug Mankoff, Mike Marcus and Andy Spaulding. A Bigger Boat's Peter Block will also produce.

Echo Lake is venturing into broader fare after a string of modest titles such as "Tsotsi," "Water" and "Away From Her."