According to Variety, New Line has attached Takashi Shimizu, director of Japan's boffo horror pic Ju-On and its English-language remake The Grudge, to helm Parasyte. Shimizu will also supervise the script's development.

Parasyte is based on a 12-part Manga comicbook series by Hitosi Iwaaki that's published in English by the TokyoPop imprint. Current screenplay is by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (Par's Aeon Flux) penned the screenplay, which has been rewritten by Matt Drake.

In the sci-fier, alien spores land on Earth and start taking over human bodies. One young man manages to isolate his "parasyste" in his left arm. Left part human and part alien, the young man and "Lefty" -- an alien arm with a will of its own -- are the planet's sole protection from the sinister invasion.

Producing the pic are Don Murphy of Angyfilms and Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson of Henson Pictures, along with Japanese producer (and Shimizu partner) Taka Ichise.

By combining live action and CGI in Parayste, the filmmakers will aim to create a realistic alien landscape on Earth.

Shimizu's dance card has him slated to do a sequel to Col's The Grudge 2 before seguing into "Parasyte."