Dimension Films has acquired rights to Stephen King's latest novel "Cell" and has set "Hostel" helmer Eli Roth to direct it once he wraps up work on "Hostel 2" reports Variety.

King's novel is a throwback to his early apocalyptic horror novels. In a single moment, a pulse sent out through cell phones around the world turns every phone user into a crazed, murderous zombie.

Roth wants to write the pic or co-write it, depending on the time constraints. Bob Weinstein says the fast progress to production on the adaptation of upcoming King novella thriller "1408" helped the studio's cause.