ASTRO BOY director David Bowers is set to direct Fox 2000's DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 2: RODERICK RULES, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn and Rachael Harris will all be reprising their roles from the original. Color Force's Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are returning as producers.

Based on Jeff Kinney's bestselling books, the new film will focus on middle school student Greg Heffley's love-hate relationship with his brother Roderick (spelled Rodrick in the books, but not the movie). Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah penned the screenplay.

The budget for the sequel is the same as the original — $15 million. Production will begin in Vancouver in August. The studio hopes to release the film in March 2011.