AceShowbiz -

Jumping in front of the camera again after his last stint of voicing the titular character in "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties", Bill Murray has signed on to topline "City of Ember", one of the early titles to come out from Fox-Walden, Variety has learned.

Also picking up Toby Jones and Saoirse Ronan in the cast lineup, pic is based on the Jeanne DuPrau young adult novel which tells about an insular, dark place where the only light comes from street lamps. When the power source begins to fail, two teenagers embark on a search for clues that will unlock ancient mysteries about the city.

Filming is due to begin this summer in Belfast, Northern Ireland under the direction of Gil Kenan who is set to carry out the duty from script by Caroline Thompson for an October 10, 2008 release. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks is onboard to produce alongside his Playtone partner Gary Goetzman.