Alex Pettyfer set to make directorial debut with murder mystery

Alex Pettyfer is preparing to make his directorial debut with Back Roads.

The Magic Mike actor is developing the movie from the 1999 murder mystery novel of the same name by Tawni O’Dell. Alex will also star in the feature opposite actresses Juliette Lewis and Jennifer Morrison, reports Variety.

The tale focuses on a young man called Harley, to be played by Pettyfer, who falls for a married mother of two while caring for his younger sisters, but then finds his name caught up in a local murder case. Morrison will play Pettyfer's onscreen love interest, Callie, while Lewis will portray his mother. Bates Motel actress Nicola Peltz is also set to star as Callie’s sister.

It will be Pettyfer’s first film under his and business partner Craig Robinson’s company Upturn Productions, with Variety confirming filming has already begun in Louisiana. Fatal Attraction director Adrian Lyne will serve as executive producer, with Michael Ohoven of Infinity Media and Dan Spilo of Industry Entertainment producing.