Back in February we reported that Chiller is gearing up for production on its next direct-to-TV movie.

Remains director Colin Theys reteams with Synthetic Cinema and Chiller for Dead Souls, a telepic adaptation of Michael Laimo’s novel about a teen who inherits his crazy preacher father’s mysterious house. John Doolan, who also adapted Remains, will penned the feature.

Bloody Disgusting learned exclusively today that Jesse James (NOT “the” Jesse James, rather an unknown) is in talks to topline as “Johnny Petrie,” with Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, The Devil’s Rejects, House of 1,000 Corpses), Magda Apanowicz (Slither, The Butterfly Effect) and Jaiden Kaine (Hellbenders ) also in talks to round out the cast. Nothing has been signed.

Shooting begins this April in Connecticut.

Synthetic Cinema and Chiller’s first was an adaptation of the Steve Nile’s (“30 Days of Night”) graphic novel Remains featuring Lance Reddick (“The Wire”, “Fringe”) and Grant Bowler (“True Blood”).

“On his 18th birthday, Johnny Petrie learns he was adopted when he inherits a farm in Maine, abandoned for the 18 years since his natural family died at the hands of his father, the local preacher. Eager for a new life, he leaves home to start over in his new dwelling. However, as he digs into his past, he soon uncovers the horrifying details of his father’s questionable teachings. In …a frightening revelation, he also learns that his return has revived decades-old forces trapped in the home and sets in motion a heart-stopping finale to a ritual that already claimed the lives of his family.”

Dead Souls is adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker Award finalist Michael Laimo.