Production will begin this summer. Lionsgate will release the pic in the U.S. next year and is selling international rights at Cannes.

Pic, which is based on Barker's short story "Midnight Meat Train" from his "Books of Blood Series," follows the story of Leon, a Gotham-based photographer whose efforts to track down "the subway butcher" lead to an unholy secret.

Jeff Buhler adapted the screenplay.

Lakeshore will produce.

"Midnight Train" marks the second recent collaboration between Lionsgate and Lakeshore. The two companies are currently in post-production on the action thriller "Crank," starring Jason Statham. Pic will be released Labor Day 2006.

Barker's writer, director and producer credits include the "Hellraiser" franchise, "Candyman" and "Lord of Illusions."

Tatopoulos is an award-winning special effects designer whose credits include "Silent Hill," both "Underworld" pics and "I, Robot."

Lionsgate's Cannes slate includes William Friedkin's "Bug"; "Employee of the Month," starring Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook; the vampire pic "Daybreakers"; and "Saw 3."

Lakeshore's Cannes features "The Dead Girl," starring Toni Collette, and "The Feast of Love," directed by Robert Benton and starring Morgan Freeman.