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Posted: Wed., Jun. 24, 2009, 8:00pm PT

Ryan Reynolds to star in 'Buried'

Actor will follow up 'Proposal' with indie film

Ryan Reynolds

Reynolds

After starring with Sandra Bullock in romantic comedy "The Proposal," Ryan Reynolds has lined up a much grittier proposition for his next film.

Reynolds will star in "Buried," playing a civilian contractor who's kidnapped in Iraq and awakens buried in a coffin in the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife.

Rodrigo Cortes will direct a script by Chris Sparling; production will begin this month in Barcelona.

Peter Safran will produce through his Safran Co. banner with Adrian Guerra of Spain-based Versus Entertainment, which is financing the film. The picture will shoot entirely in Spain, which is home to Cortes, best known for directing "The Contestant."

Reynolds takes the job after the showy role of Deadpool in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "The Proposal."

He decided to go the indie route as a way to stretch his acting chops in a movie with a claustrophobic premise, and one in which he holds the screen through most of the picture.

Reynolds, the writer and director are repped by UTA.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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