Doctor Who star Matt Smith has joined the cast of Ryan Gosling's directorial debut How to Catch a Monster.

Set against the surreal landscape of a vanishing city, the story centers on a single mother who is swept into a fantasy dream world, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads to an underwater town. Matt Smith will play the male lead, although no character details were given. Christina Hendricks is portraying the mother, with Eva Mendes also starring in an unspecified role.

Ryan Gosling will direct and produce from his own original screenplay. Marc Platt (Drive) is also producing alongside Adam Siegel, Michel Litvak, and David Lancaster.

Production is scheduled to begin sometime this spring.