(Cover) - EN Movies - Ron Howard is to tackle Mormon drama Under the Banner of Heaven.

The hugely successful director was recently dealt a blow after his proposed adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower was rejected by Universal because of budget concerns. However, he will be back in the director's chair in no time after agreeing to adapt Jon Krakauer's novel Under the Banner of Heaven: A story of Violent Faith.

Based on a true story it focuses on two siblings who murdered the younger brother's wife and infant daughter in 2003, only to claim to the police that they were acting on the advice of God. The brothers were members of an extreme group of Mormonism.

The bestselling novel will be adapted by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. The Milk writer also recently penned J. Edgar, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer, and will be directed by Clint Eastwood. (C) Cover Media