Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Wilson, and Leslie Bibb have signed on to star in Meeting Evil, a noir thriller based on a novel by Thomas Berger.  Wilson stars as John Felton, a real estate salesman sent into depression by the econnomic collapse: "After being fired, he ends up going on a joy ride with a stranger named Richie (Jackson) that brings them down a path towards violence." Bibb plays Felton's wife.

Meeting Evil will begin shooting in New Orleans on January 8, 2011 under the direction of Chris Fisher (S. Darko).  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Berger's novel.

meeting-evil-book-cover

John Felton meets evil late one Monday morning when the doorbell rings. Standing on the front porch is a stranger. He wears expensive running shoes and a baseball cap and calls himself Richie. He tells John his car has stalled and asks for help. An altercation at the gas station leads to a shocking crime as violence begets violence. At the end of this harrowing day, John returns home to find Richie ensconced in his living room, chatting up his wife. The evil has somehow seeped into his life. Thus begins the transformation of an unremarkable husband and father of two into a desperate man willing to go to any length to protect his family from the darkness that threatens them. [Amazon]

According to Scene [via The Wrap] describes Fisher's script as "moody with elements of dark comedy."  This sounds like the type of thriller that could go either way.  That's before you account for the "Sam Jackson Factor."  Jackson as charismatic evil = watchability.

Wilson is currently filming Yellow with Ben Foster and Sienna Miller with a role on HBO's Enlightened to follow.  Jackson has The Killing Game (formerly titled Deathgames) in the can, and will reprise his role as Nick Fury for The Avengers.  Bibb will next be seen in Zookeeper opposite Kevin James and talking animals.