Jason Behr (The Grudge) has signed to star in the thriller The Tattooist, according to Variety.

Commercial director Peter Burger is making his feature debut on the film from a script by Matthew Grainger and Jonathan King.

Lensing starts next month in and around Auckland, New ZealandB.

The Tattooist casts Behr as a tattoo artist who becomes fascinated by the Samoan tatau tradition, but his desire to learn the ancient skill brings him into conflict and danger with the island mysticism and a deadly spirit is released as a result.

Filming begins next month in and around Auckland, New Zealand.