Filmmaker Craig Brewer has signed on to write and direct New Regency's upcoming action comedy "Mother Trucker."

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is based on a Maxim article by Steven Russell and is described as an updated version of Hal Needham's 1977 Burt Reynolds verhicle "Smokey and the Bandit."

Boasting a fairly simple plot, "Trucker" follows a man who escapes from prison and steels an 18-wheeler to head across the South and pay a visit to his dying mother. Of course, the police is not far behind.

Brewer's career took off in 2005 when he directed Terrence Howard in the acclaimed crime drama "Hustle & Flow."

Most recently, Brewer direct Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan," a film about a crazy bluesman who teaches a wild young woman an important lesson.

By the way, "Smokey and the Bandit" snatched an Oscar nomination for best film editing in 1978. Didn't win it though.