Ambush Entertainment is starting production on its low-budget, William Hurt starrer The River Why, which is an adaptation of the Sierra Club's first book.

According to Variety, Ambush partner Matthew Leutwyler is directing.

Based on the 1984 David James Duncan coming-of-age novel, The River Why also stars Zach Gilford as a fisherman who abandons his big-city family to find himself in the wild.

Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan and Dallas Roberts also star.

The film begins lensing in Portland, Ore., this month.

During production on The River Why, Ambush also will produce an environmental documentary that Bailey will direct. "Some films shoot in pristine areas of the world and leave the location in ruins," said Bailey, who will use The River Why to explore what can be done to go green.

The River Why was released in 2009 and stars Amber Heard, William Hurt, Zach Gilford, Kathleen Quinlan, William Devane, Gattlin Griffith, Dallas Roberts, Nikki Deloach. The film is directed by Matthew Leutwyler.