Paul Haggis ("Crash," "Million Dollar Baby") has inked an overall nonexclusive deal with United Artists that will have him writing, producing and possibly directing projects with the studio through his newly created Hwy61 production company says the trades.

Haggis is expected to produce two films a year with his producing partner Michael Nozik, starting with an adaptation of Australian author John Flanagan's children's literature series "Ranger's Apprentice". Haggis will write the screenplay with his daughter Alissa and possibly direct.

The story follows the adventures of an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice ranger and fights to keep the mythical kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors and other dangers with the help of his master Halt.

Hwy61 and UA have also optioned the rights to the Joseph Weisberg novel "An Ordinary Spy."The Tom Cruise & Paula Wagner-run distributor signed an interim agreement with the WGA which allows them to continue developing projects throughout the strike.