With many theaters equipping themselves for 3-D in anticipation of James Cameron's AVATAR, Hyde Park Ent. and Stage 6 Films are jumping on the 3-D craze with the noir thriller THE DARK COUNTRY, reports VARIETY. PUNISHER star Thomas Jane will make his directing debut on the film, which will shoot in high-definition. A 2-D version will also be made.

Written by Tab Murphy (TARZAN), the story follows a couple, played by Ron Perlman (HELLBOY) and Lauren German (HOSTEL: PART II), whose honeymoon trip turns into a nightmare.

Production has begun in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hyde Park's Patrick Aiello and Ashok Amritraj are the producers.

Stage 6 Films is the recently formed production division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group. The film will be released under the Sony banner.