Mark Ruffalo will direct his first feature film with Sympathy for Delicious. After being Bruce Banner and The Hulk, he's going to be behind the camera. Here's the news release ...

Maya Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Sympathy for Delicious, the feature film directorial debut from Mark Ruffalo, to be released theatrically in Spring 2011. The seven-figure deal positions the film as a key project in Maya’s first quarter 2011 theatrical release strategy.

Written by Christopher Thornton, who also stars in and produced the project, Sympathy for Delicious follows the true story of a newly paralyzed DJ who gets more than he bargained for when he seeks out the world of faith healing. The film also stars Ruffalo, Juliette Lewis, Orlando Bloom and Laura Linney and is based on Thornton’s real-life experiences. The film was produced by Corner Store Entertainment’s Scott Prisand, Matt Weaver and Andrea Sperling, with Mark Ruffalo and Christopher Thornton. The film was awarded a Special Jury Prize for Directing at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Maya also has made a deal with Tom Ortenberg’s One Way Out Media to come on board as a marketing consultant on the project.

“After its successful premiere at Sundance this year, we’re so excited to be releasing this powerful and moving film and working with Mark Ruffalo on his award-winning directorial debut,” said Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions for Maya Entertainment. “It’s an honor to collaborate with Mark on a project that has been so important to him.”

Ruffalo added, “This film has been a very personal project for me, and I know Maya will be a wonderful partner to have in our corner.”

Ruffalo will next begin production on Marvel’s The Avengers, in which he plays “The Hulk.” He joins Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johanssen and Jeremy Renner.

The deal for Sympathy for Delicious was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group co-head Rena Ronson on behalf of UTA client Mark Ruffalo and Wendy Rutland, with Tonantzin Esparza on behalf of Maya Entertainment.