James Marsden will star in the reimagining of the 1971 thriller “Straw Dogs” that is being written and directed by Rod Lurie.

The new “Straw Dogs,” from Screen Gems, follows Los Angeles screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden), who moves with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. Once there, tensions build in their marriage and old conflicts re-emerge with the locals, leading to a violent confrontation.

The original, co-written and directed by Sam Peckinpah, was set in rural England and starred Dustin Hoffman as Sumner.

Both films are based on the book “The Siege of Trencher’s Farm” by Gordon Williams.

The movie offers a change of pace for Marsden, more known for such light fare as “27 Dresses,” “Enchanted” and “Hairspray” and comic-book movies like “Superman Returns.” The actor is filming the ensemble comedy “Death at a Funeral,” directed by Neil LaBute, and he next stars opposite Cameron Diaz in “The Box.”

Source: Reuters.com