Donald Petrie has signed on to direct “The Last Resort,” a Philippines-set romantic comedy written by Karen McCullah, the scribe behind such romcom gems as “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde.”

Petrie, who directed the Lemmon-Mathau comedy “Grumpy Old Men” and is an Emmy nominee for his work on “L.A. Law,” is responsible for a number of classic romantic comedies himself, having directed
“Miss Congeniality,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “Mystic Pizza.”

The veteran filmmaker’s other credits include “Richie Rich,” “The Associate,” “My Favorite Martian,” “My Life in Ruins” and the television show “The Kominski Method,” among others.

McCullah, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in the U.S., has also written films including “She’s the Man,” “Ella Enchanted,” “The Ugly Truth” and “The House Bunny.”

“The Last Resort” follows a hotel executive who is sent to scout a new resort location in the Philippines. She becomes captivated by the breathtaking scenery and the warmth of its people — and also meets Ben, a charming expatriate charter pilot.

Sheila Jaffe Casting has joined the film, which has just begun the casting process and is set to begin production early this year.

Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. and Raja Collins (“True Memoirs of an International Assassin,” “Mermaid”) produce. Co-producers are Simon Heo, Akshay Mehta and Rick Dugdale.

Asia Pacific Films will finance and produce. The producers are represented by Glenn Feig of Reder & Feig. Petrie is represented by Gersh and Michael Tenzer Law.