Donald Petrie has signed on to helm the ensemble romantic comedy "Chasing Dinner" for the Yari Film Group.

Penned by the writing team of Bruce Evans and Ray Gideon ("Starman," "Stand by Me"), "Dinner" is produced by Ashok Amritraj, Jon Jashni, Amy Adelson, Orly Adelson, Matthew Baer and YFG president and founder Bob Yari.

The story is set in a small town whose residents' lives are turned upside down when three pigs escape being butchered to become "hams on the lam," spurring a media circus during the holiday season.

"This is one of the most laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming and completely unique scripts I have read in a long time," Petrie said.

Syndicate Films will handle international sales for the film, which is aiming for a start date early next year.

"Donald has become an expert at crafting very funny, feel-good comedies," Yari said. "We look forward to seeing how he applies his considerable talents to Bruce and Ray's enormously appealing screenplay."

YFG's credits include the summer breakout hit "Crash." Its upcoming slate includes "Winter Passing," starring Ed Harris, Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel; "The Illusionist," starring Edward Norton; and Mark Rydell's ensemble drama "Jump Shot." The company recently finished production on Lasse Hallstrom's "The Hoax."

Petrie, whose credits include the boxoffice hit "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Miss Congeniality," recently wrapped the Lindsay Lohan starrer "Just My Luck." His also helmed "Welcome to Mooseport," "Grumpy Old Men" and "Mystic Pizza."

He is repped by WMA.