Hackford ("Ray") will direct the feature "Love Ranch," which is set to star (his wife) Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci. The Capitol Films motion picture is expected to begin shooting in January 2008 in Albuquerque, NM, according to the trade publication.

The drama centers on "a couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada and the violence that resulted when their relationship was tested by infidelity." Mark Jacobson penned the screenplay.

The film will mark the first time Hackford and Mirren have worked together since "White Nights" in 1985. On Broadway Mirren has been seen in Dance of Death and A Month in the Country. The Academy and Emmy Award winner is also known for her screen work in "The Queen," "Gosford Park," "The Madness of King George," "Elizabeth I," "The Passion of Ayn Rand" and "Prime Suspect." She next stars in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" and "Inkheart."

Leap of Faith is now aiming for a spring 2009 bow on Broadway, Variety reports. Hackford will direct the new musical featuring music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Newyorkers) and a book by Janus Cercone, who wrote the original screenplay.

In the 1992 film, Steve Martin (Picasso at the Lapin Agile) starred as a fake faith healer who travels with a band of con artist helpers swindling townsfolk from one location to a nother. The movie also featured Liam Neeson (The Crucible), Philip Seymour Hoffman, (Long Day's Journey Into Night) and La Chanze (Once on this Island).