Twentieth Century Fox has obtained the rights to Seth Grahame-Smith's "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," according to Variety.

"Night Watch" director Timur Bekmambetov will helm the 3D film, which he will produce with Tim Burton and Jim Lemley.

Budgeted at an estimated $69 million, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" will start pre-production immediately and will receive a 2012 release.

Grahame-Smith's supernatural tale -- which he will adapt for the screen -- centers on Lincoln's secret, lifelong vendetta against vampires following the death of his mother at their hands.

"It is not a comedy at all -- it is a very entertaining, epic history lesson for millions and millions of teenagers," Bekmambetov said in a recent interview with Empire Online. "If you remember 'Night Watch,' it is maybe in the vein of that kind of movie.

"We are keeping the traditional look of Lincoln -- the big hat and the beard. He has to be historically correct, but with a few special weapons. There is only one book, but there will be many opportunities to develop and explore this world if we get to do sequels."

Fox enthusiastically pursued the rights to the adaption, giving a detailed pitch for the film's production, marketing and release. Part of the pitch showed the studio's passion for the project; the filmmakers were greeted at Fox with a variety of props, including a huge banner, bloody footprints and parking signs warning: Parking for vampire hunters only, park at your own risk."

Bekmambetov, a Russian director, was introduced to audiences worldwide with his 2004 vampire film "Night Watch," which Fox also distributed.