Jodi Foster will direct the drama "The Beaver," starring Mel Gibson as a depressed man who wears a puppet on his hand and treats it as a real person, Hollywood media reported.
Foster, 46, will co-star as Gibson's wife -- the second time the two Oscar winners have teamed up on the big screen, following 1994's "Maverick."
Variety reported on its website Friday that once Foster joined up with the 18-million to 19-million dollar project, she brought it Gibson. Production is expected to begin in September in New York, according to the magazine's website.
Gibson's role in "Beaver" will be just his second major acting turn since 2003, and will be seen as a test of his box-office draw following highly publicized controversies including his conviction for driving under the influence and his anti-Semitic slurs a few years ago.
Gibson, 53, is also starring in the conspiracy thriller "Edge of Darkness" due for release in 2010.
"The Beaver" will be Foster's third major film behind the camera, after directing 1995's "Home for the Holidays" and "Little Man Tate" in 1991.
{{/usCountry}}"The Beaver" will be Foster's third major film behind the camera, after directing 1995's "Home for the Holidays" and "Little Man Tate" in 1991.
{{/usCountry}}