Catwoman director Pitof, who is also an f/x wizard, is set to direct Chinese CGI film Empires of the Deep, a rather ambitious project budgeted at $100 million.   

According to Variety, the story centers on mermaids, mermen and a hero who saves the world from an evil empire. The English-language tale was previously titled Mermaid Island.

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back director, Irvin Kershner, is set to produce. Presently the production will start filming live-action sequences with a release date schedule for 2010 release.

Pitof is known for his f/x credits but Empire is his third directing adventure.