Warner Bros. has picked up The Nice Guys, now confirmed to star Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. The film is written and will be directed by Shane Black, who last helmed Iron Man 3 for Marvel and Disney and was recently set to co-write and direct Predator, a sequel for 20th Century Fox.

The Nice Guys is a comedy-noir that will put Warner Bros. back in business with Shane Black, who created the hugely successful Lethal Weapon franchise for the studio. Joel Silver, who produced Shane Black's directorial debut Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, will be back to produce The Nice Guys.

Shane Black co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi, and it is said to carry the same trademark black humor and smart dialogue as Shane Black's previous efforts. The movie was originally envisioned as a TV series, but it never got past the pilot phase. Joel Silver helped Shane Black refit it as a feature.

The story centers on a private detective and "beefcake' who go searching for a missing porn star in 1970s Los Angeles, only to uncover an underground ring of corruption.

Though it hasn't been confirmed, its believed that Shane Black will direct The Nice Guys before moving onto Predator.