Simon Fellows to Direct Adaptation of Alan K. Barker’s Book 'Dyatlov Pass'

LONDON -- Director Simon Fellows (Malice In Wonderland) will direct an adaptation of Alan K. Barker's book Dyatlov Pass, based on true life events which saw nine students die in unexplained circumstances while ski-hiking in the Ural mountains in 1959.

The script is being penned by Andy Briggs and bankrolled by Future Film Group's production arm and co-produced by U.K. banner 28 Pictures.

The deal was brokered by Briggs and Fellows through Barker's agent Meg Davis at the MBA Literary Agency.

Baker has 12 non-fiction books to his name and specializes in the paranormal/cosmic horror field.

Dyatlov Pass will mark the first screen adaptation of Baker's work.

The Dyatlov Pass incident refers to an unsolved mystery that occurred in the northern Urals which saw a group of ski hikers tear open their tent from the inside and leave barefoot in a heavy snowstorm. Though there was no sign of a struggle, two victims had fractured skulls, one was missing her tongue and clothing belonging to the victims contained high levels of radiation.

Soviet investigators concluded that "a compelling unknown force" had caused their deaths.

The production is anticipated to shoot next summer in Eastern Europe.