ELI ROTH at the World Premiere of 'Underworld Evolution', Cinerama Dome, Los Angeles, California - 11.01.06 and STEPHEN KING signing copies of his book at the New Yorker Festival held at Barnes and Noble New York City, USA - 24.09.05

Roth recently read the thriller, which sees a mysterious pulse sent through cellular phones turn humans into crazed zombies, and immediately began plans for a movie.

Roth says, "I couldn't put it down. It was such a balls-out horror movie with a smart take on the zombie genre."

The director is keen to write the screenplay for the film, possibly alongside King, and will start on the project as soon as he finishes directing HOSTEL 2.