Aronofsky to direct 'Black Swan'

Universal fast-tracking ballet script

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Universal Pictures and Darren Aronofsky have turned to the world of ballet for what they hope will be his next directing effort.

The studio has acquired "Black Swan," a psychological thriller to be produced by Aronofsky's Protozoa and Mike Medavoy's Phoenix Pictures.

Aronofsky is attached to direct, and John McLaughlin has begun writing a thriller that looks at the manipulative relationship between a veteran dancer and a rival. The studio is fast-tracking the project for Aronofsky, who most recently helmed "The Fountain."

Eric Watson, who partners with Aronofsky in their U-based Protozoa shingle, will produce with Phoenix's Medavoy and Arnie Messer. Brad Fischer and David Thwaites will exec produce.

Aronofsky and Watson previously worked with McLaughlin on an HBO series pilot on haunted housing, as well as "Song of Kali," a Protozoa-produced adaptation of Dan Simmons' terror novel for New Regency.

"Black Swan" was set up at Universal on the basis of a detailed outline hatched by the director and writer.

Phoenix, which debuts the Rod Lurie-directed "Resurrecting the Champ" at Sundance this weekend, has a busy spring. Paramount opens the David Fincher-directed "Zodiac" on March 2, and Fox bows the Marcus Nispel-directed "Pathfinder" in April. Warner Bros. releases the Ken Kwapis-directed comedy "License to Wed" on July 4.

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