Martin Scorsese to direct 'Shutter Island' series for HBO

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A prequel series to Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island is in the works at HBO.

The new series is titled Ashecliffe after the movie's hospital for the criminally insane, and takes place prior to the events of the film. Shutter Island is based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, and is set in 1954.

Ashecliffe will explore the isolated hospital's dark past and its founders' misdeeds. The hospital was established in the early 20th century, and its founders developed questionable treatments for use on the mentally ill.

The pilot was written by Lehane, and will be directed by Scorsese. The project is in development at HBO and Paramount Television, and Lehane, Scorsese and Shutter Island star Leonardo DiCaprio will executive produce.

Shutter Island premiered in 2010, and grossed over $294 million at the box office. The film starred DiCaprio as Edward "Teddy" Daniels, Mark Ruffalo as Chuck Aule, Ben Kinglsey as Dr. John Cawley and Michelle Williams as Teddy's wife Dolores.