Shane Acker (9) has been tapped by HIT Ent. to direct its live-action adaptation of THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE, reports Deadline.com. Written by Chris Viscardi & Will McRobb and Josh Klausner (SHREK THE THIRD), the story takes place on the island of talking trains known as Sodor where a tween boy finds a way to reconnect with his father, who visited the land when he was a child, but doesn't remember it.

Weta Workshop and Mattel are providing design work. Cinetic Media and the UTA Independent Film Group are handling funding and distribution.