John Lee Hancock will adapt and direct the revenge drama "Dead I Well May Be" for Universal Pictures. Anonymous Content's Steve Golin and David Kanter are producing. Written by Adrian McKinty, the book follows a street-savvy illegal immigrant from Ireland who lands a job as an Irish mob enforcer in New York in the early 1990s. "This is a wonderfully written book focused on an Irish anti-hero who grew up amid the brutal civil wars of Belfast, and it's certain to add new depth to the action-film genre," Golin said. "John Lee Hancock is a masterful writer and director. We are confident that he will give Adrian McKinty's novel the screen translation it deserves." Scott Stuber, vice chairman of worldwide production, and Donna Langley, executive vp production, will oversee the project for the studio. Chad Hamilton is executive producing. Anonymous Content's credits include "50 First Dates" and the Academy Award-winning "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." CAA-repped Hancock wrote and directed "The Alamo" and directed "The Rookie." McKinty is repped by Bob Mecoy and UTA.