Simone North's debut film as a writer/director has just picked up three Australian actors of great stature. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sam Neill, Guy Pearce and Miranda Otto will be appearing in How to Change in 9 Weeks.

The Australian crime drama will focus on a fifteen year old Melbourne student that went missing in 1999. He was later found murdered, apparently by a childhood friend. Sidney Lumet is coming on the picture as a mentor for North, presumably to help her with directing the film.

Newcomers Kate Bell and Ruth Murphy have also been cast in the drama. There is no word on when filming will begin.