Voltage takes on 'Killer Joe'

Voltage Pictures is financing and producing the black comedy "Killer Joe" with Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch starring and William Friedkin directing.

"Killer Joe" has been adapted by Tracy Letts from his play. Shooting's set to start Nov. 8 in and around New Orleans.

"Killer Joe" is being produced by Scott Einbinder of ANA Media and Voltage's Nicolas Chartier.

Voltage has started foreign sales at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Story centers on a drug dealer, portrayed by Hirsch, who has his stash stolen by his mother and faces death if he doesn't come up with $6,000. He turns to "Killer Joe," played by McConaughey, when he finds out that his mother's life insurance policy is worth $50,000.

Friedkin's directing credits include "The Exorcist," "To Live And Die In LA," "Rules of Engagement" and "Jade."

McConaughey is attached to topline "The Lincoln Lawyer" for Lakeshore Entertainment. Hirsch is currently shooting "The Darkest Hour" for Summit Entertainment.

Letts received the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for his Broadway play "August: Osage County."

Voltage, which produced "The Hurt Locker," is repping two other pics at Toronto -- "The Whitslerblower" starring Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn, Vanessa Redgrave and Monica Bellucci; and "Faces in the Crowd" starring Milla Jovovich.

McConaughey's represented by CAA and Hirsch is repped by WME and The Collective.