Phoenix Pictures has picked up the script Once Upon a Time in Hell from writers Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy, which landed on the Black List of most liked screenplays last year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story is based on Alexandre Dumas' classic revenge tale "The Count of Monte Cristo," but updates the story to modern London's organized crime underworld.

"We want to do a very slick, Hollywood-style underground gangster film," said Thwaites, pointing to Michael Mann's L.A.-set films Heat and Collateral as tonal inspiration for Once Upon a Time in Hell.

Shipman and McGreevy also have fashioned their adventure script Pendragon, a pitch they sold to New Regency, from the raw material of Arthurian legend. Their spin involves providing the key Camelot characters -- Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, Galahad, et al. -- with origin stories, a la this summer's "Star Trek" reboot.

Connolly is attached to produce. Navid McIlhargey is shepherding for New Regency.

No production dates have been announced.