Lakeshore Entertainment has brought on Mark Neveldine to direct The Vatican Tapes, which will be the filmmaker's first solo directorial outing. He previously directed Crank, Crank High Voltage, Gamer, and Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance with Brian Taylor.

The project has been in development since November 2009, when we reported that James Marsh (Project Nim, Man on Wire) will direct. The plot centers on a series of events triggered by a leaked tape of an exorcism at the Vatican that goes horribly wrong.

Christopher Borrelli wrote the screenplay, based on an original story he crafted with Chris Morgan (Fast & Furious 6, 47 Ronin).

No production schedule was given. The thriller will be produced with the new funds raised by Lakeshore Entertainment, after the studio refinanced its $200 million debt facility.