Joe Dante directing 'Bat Out of Hell'

Rex Features

Gremlins helmer Joe Dante will direct the independent horror film Bat Out of Hell, reports Variety.

The veteran filmmaker's latest movie focuses on a hijacked red-eye flight heading from Los Angeles to New York that carries mysterious cargo.

The script comes from Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan.

Dante's last feature film was 2003's Looney Tunes: Back in Action. He also directed both Gremlins films, Piranha, Small Soldiers and the Masters of Horror TV series.