New Line Cinema is getting the ball rolling on their latest comic book adaptation: The Kitchen. Based on the Vertigo series of the same name (by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle), The Kitchen takes place in Hell's Kitchen in the 1970s. When the FBI does a sweep and arrests a number of prominent mobsters, it's up to their wives to take over the business - and they do so with gusto! At the moment, the film is still in the development phase, with no release date announced or casting decisions made, but it looks like New Line wants to get this project to screen as soon as possible.

We already knew that New Line has found a writer to pen the script for the project, and now the next step has been taken with the announcement of a director for the film.

THR revealed today that Andrea Berloff has be chosen to direct the project - making it her directorial debut. Berloff is also reportedly writing the script for the film, putting her firmly in charge of the project from behind the camera. Berloff, who started her career as an assistant to company co-founders Eva and Bob Shaye, talked about how excited she was with the opportunity that feels like coming full circle:

I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to direct a film that is fiercely, unapologetically female-driven. Having started my career as an assistant to Eva and Bob Shaye, embarking on this journey with New Line is truly a surreal dream.

Known for her work as a writer on the Oscar-nominated Straight Outta Compton, this is a big step for the writer and actress, but a well-deserved one. Berloff has been nominated for several other awards for her writing, and has won a Black Film Critics Circle award for Straight Outta Compton. She will also be working on the screenplay for the upcoming Legend of Conan, another project that does not yet have a release date.

This is fantastic news for fans of the Vertigo mini-series, as it moves the project forward to the next stage of production. Berloff is certainly a capable writer, and although this will be her first time in the director's chair, we have little doubt that her talent will translate from page to screen easily. It's also fantastic to see a female-led project being helmed by a female director, which should help keep these powerful female characters feminist and as strong as they are in the comics. For a film that is action-packed and sure to be quite violent, keeping the project female-focused behind the camera as well as in front of it is a welcome move.

However, it's worth noting that this film is still very much in the development phase, and still has no official release date or casting confirmed. We also don't know what kind of direction Berloff and New Line will be taking with the movie, or whether they will be aiming for an adult adaptation or a toned-down film appropriate for a wider audience. At the moment, we are thrilled to hear that Berloff will be in the director's chair, but will have to reserve judgement on the project as a whole until more information comes to light.

Next: Vertigo Comic Book Films Now at New Line

The Kitchen has no official release date from New Line yet. Stay with Screen Rant for the latest updates on this project.

Source: THR