We reported in early August that director Robert Schwentke (The Time Traveler's Wife, the upcoming action film Red) was in talks to helm the adaptation of the comic book R.I.P.D. starring Ryan Reynolds.  Deadline now reports that Schwentke has taken the gig and will shoot the film next summer after Reynolds finishes work on the comedy The Change-Up with Jason Bateman and the thriller Safe House with Denzel Washington.

Red is reportedly receiving positive notices from the test-screening circuit and is set to open nationwide on October 15th. Schwentke is also attached to direct an adaptation of Robert Ludlum's The Osterman Weekend and an adaptation of he Robert Kurson novel Shadow Divers. Hit the jump for a synopsis of R.I.P.D. and click here for Steve's interview with producer Neal Moritz.

R.I.P.D. is based on a Dark Horse comic book series of the same name.  Here's their official synopsis:

Welcome to the Rest In Peace Department — the devoted, yet dead, officers of divine law enforcement “patrolling the deadbeat…reporting to one boss.” Yep — THAT boss. Nick Cruz was murdered by an unknown assailent, at the height of his personal and professional life. Now he’s traded a hundred years of service to the R.I.P.D. in exchange for a shot at finding who killed him. Unfortunately his search will take him to Hell and back — literally!

---

r_i_p_d_comic_book_cover_02