Ron Howard is looking to direct a big-budget adaptation of "The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft," based on the Image Comics series.

Reflecting the abstract and elusive worlds of H.P. Lovecraft, the comics present a young, timid Lovecraft transformed by hidden cosmic forces into a reluctant player in the incomprehensible workings of ancient entities.

Howard, who recently helmed "Angels & Demons" and "Frost/Nixon," sees boundless potential lurking in the graphic novel.

"It very cleverly uses H.P. Lovecraft in a fictional way, but there's some loose biographical elements," Howard said in an interview with the LA Times. "But it certainly has the flavor and the tone of Lovecraft. The character is a very young Lovecraft."

Adapting a Lovecraft themed story is a tricky undertaking, however. The author's often metaphysical material calls for a delicate touch.

"Look, it's challenging, but if we get it right, it could be really original and psychologically interesting and scary in a great way," Howard said. "And it's a graphic novel, this is new territory for me."

Still, Howard's busy schedule may make launching "Lovecraft" tough.

"You just never know," he said. "Development is a minefield or a high-wire act or whatever you want to call it, but yeah, hopefully that it moves along and I will be directing that one."