Mandate Pictures announced today that Julianne Hough (upcoming Footloose) and Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek) will star in the Untitled Diablo Cody Project (Previously titled "Lamb of God"). Academy Award winner Diablo Cody will make her feature directorial debut from her original screenplay.

Mason Novick ((500) Days of Summer) will produce. Mandate president Nathan Kahane (50/50) will executive produce alongside Diablo Cody. Nicole Brown, EVP of Production, is overseeing the project on behalf of Mandate Pictures. Lionsgate is handling international sales and will present the film as part of their upcoming American Film Market slate.

The comedy follows a sheltered young woman (Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life. On her journey, she meets an unlikely companion (Brand) who inadvertently helps her find her true self.

The project is on a fast track for a spring production start.

The Untitled Diablo Cody Project marks the third collaboration with Cody, Novick and Mandate after their successful partnerships on Juno and Young Adult, which will be released by Paramount Pictures this December.