Hype Williams to helm Joe Eszterhas thriller

WilliamsEszterhasHype Williams is coming on board to direct Joe Eszterhas' sexual thriller "Lust" for Scott Steindorff and his Stone Village Prods.Peter J. Fruchtman will also produce "Lust," with Dylan Russell and Scott LaStaiti exec producing. Producers are casting for a Nov. 1 start date for lensing.Stone Village, which is financing the $28 million budget, acquired the script this spring from Eszterhas, whose resume includes "Basic Instinct," "Sliver" and "Showgirls." Story centers on a 30-year-old man married to an older Miami-based magazine publisher. The publisher is seduced by a younger, charming playboy -- who secretly videotapes himself and his new lover having sex, leading to the woman's life unraveling.Steindorf described the concept as "Fatal Attraction" in reverse. Script went out to a handful of directors Thursday, with Williams, who has extensive experience directing musicvids for Nas, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z and Christina Aguilera, emerging as the choice over the weekend.Jack Olsen has rewritten portions of the script for scenes in New York and Miami.Pic will also contain a major music piece.Williams also directed the 1998 urban crime drama "Belly," starring hip-hop artists Nas, DMX, Method Man and T-Boz. Williams is repped by CAA. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com