NEW YORK -- Scott Speedman is set to star opposite Liv Tyler in Rogue Pictures' suspense thriller "Strangers."

In screenwriter Bryan Bertino's feature directorial debut, Speedman and Tyler will portray a couple living in a remote house who come under attack by three masked strangers (including one played by model Gemma Ward) and have to fight for their survival.

The film, which began production Monday in South Carolina, is slated for a September release from the Focus Features genre arm.

"There's great chemistry between Scott and Liv, which Bryan will expertly mine through the terrifying twists and turns of 'Strangers,' " Rogue co-presidents Andrew Karpen and Andrew Rona said.

Speedman recently appeared in the sci-fi hits "Underworld" and "Underworld: Evolution," though he may be best known for his role on the WB Network show "Felicity."

"Strangers" is produced by Mandate Pictures' Nathan Kahane and Vertigo Entertainment's Roy Lee & Doug Davison. Mandate's Joe Drake and Kelli Konop and Vertigo's Sonny Malhi serve as executive producers on the project.

Speedman is repped by Endeavor.