Richard Kelly will write and direct the contemporary thriller Corpus Christi, which is a departure for the Donnie Darko director, according to Variety.

The Texas-set story concerns a mentally unstable Iraq war veteran, who forges a strange friendship with his boss, a wealthy and politically ambitious owner of a supermarket chain.

Casting is under way, with an announcement expected before the end of March.

Corpus Christi is set to start production in Texas in July.