James Gray has been set to rewrite and direct ALPHABET CITY, a drama to be co-financed by Strike Entertainment and Universal.

According to Variety, Strike's Marc Abraham and Eric Newman are producing with Matthew Irmas. Shooting begins in the spring in New York.

ALPHABET CITY is based on a novel by Steven Knight. Knight, the creator of the gameshow "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and scripter of "Dirty Pretty Things," wrote the first draft.

Gray will rewrite a drama that centers on a journalist who goes undercover in one of Gotham's worst neighborhoods to write a book about drug culture and gangs.

Gray just wrapped for 2929 Prods. the Gotham-shot drama "We Own the Night," with Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg.