CANNES -- Christopher Eccleston, currently riding high in the U.K. television ratings as the latest incarnation of Doctor Who, has signed to star in "Double Life," from British production company Cougar Films.

Joe Ahearne will direct the project, set to begin shooting later this year in Hungary, from his own script.

Cougar Films, founded by Sophie Balhetchet and Lynda La Plante, will co-produce the £3.5 million ($6.5 million) budgeted project with Hungarian Film Connection and London-based Ildiko Kemeny.

"Joe (Ahearne) is a master at combining great storytelling with high concept," said Balhetchet, who produced Ahearne's vampire television series "Ultraviolet" for Channel Four.

While keeping tight-lipped about the plot, Balhetchet described it as a high concept sci-fi genre piece.

Balhetchet and La Plante also are looking for a U.S. partner for a movie adaptation of La Plante's novel "Above Suspicion," which tells the story of two cops on the trail of a psychopath.

The story lends itself to a big name cast and director, Balhetchet said.

Cougar has its first movie co-production with Fragile Films' "Click" in the Marche du Film.