Universal Pictures has acquired an untitled pitch for a contemporary drama to be directed by Neil Burger ("The Illusionist") reports Variety.

The New York-set story concerns an imminent terror threat that's caused a law-enforcement crackdown, bringing all crime to a standstill. The criminals get organized, pooling their resources to search for the terrorists.

While their motivation is to get back to their nefarious business, the exercise forces them to re-examine their morality and place in society.

Burger will pen the screenplay with Dirk Wittenborn ("Fierce People"), the pair having recently done research into contemporary criminal enterprises work in New York.