Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska star in Richard Ayoade's The Double

Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland) and Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, The Kids Are All Right) will star in a new comedy by Richard Ayoade, The Double, set to shoot in the UK in spring/summer this year.

Inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novella of the same name, The Double is the story of an insignificant man driven to near breakdown by the appearance of his doppelganger. Funny, frightening and dream-like, the film will reflect on loneliness and our need to love and be loved.

Based on an original idea by Avi Korine, The Double is co-written by Ayoade and Korine, and produced by Amina Dasmal and Robin Fox of Alcove Entertainment. Andy Stebbing will co-produce. The project was co-developed with and will be co-financed by Film4.

Ayoade's confident and stylish debut feature Submarine, an adaptation of Joe Dunthorne's Welsh coming-of-age tale, was a huge critical success. Ayoade is also known for his performances in TV comedy shows including The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd, and will soon be seen in ensemble sci-fi comedy Neighbourhood Watch alongside Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn.

Tessa Ross, Head of Film & Drama at Channel 4, says: "Richard's joyous debut film, Submarine, established him as a unique voice and so we are really delighted to be supporting his next project, The Double.  With Jesse and Mia now on board, it promises to be a wonderful journey."

The creative team will include Production Designer David Crank (The Master) and Submarine Director of Photography Erik Wilson (Now Is Good, Tyrannosaur).