Next month, screenwriter Jamie Linden makes his directorial debut with the high school reunion drama 10 Years starring Channing Tatum and a whole host of name actors and actresses (check out the trailer here). And although it has yet to bow it looks like Linden has his follow-up project already in place.

Variety reports that he has signed on to write and direct The Flight Before Christmas for Paramount Pictures/Walden Media. The movie will follow a family who fly out on Christmas Eve and have to deal with a series of terrible situations along the way (the Variety article simply says “plane ride from hell”, but I figured I’d try to dress it up). As you can tell, The Flight Before Christmas is still really early in its development so don’t expect much news about it for the next few months.

With 10 Years still a few weeks from release, I can’t say much to his talent behind a camera and as a writer he’s only had three scripts made (the other two being Dear John and 2006′s We Are Marshall). As far as companies go, Walden Media is not exactly one I get excited for when I see their logo in the opening credits. But I like the simple premise of The Flight Before Christmas; it’s a nightmare scenario that is inherently relatable in one form or another (I think we’ve all had plane rides from hell, holiday or not) and is ripe with comedic potential. It’s now up to Linden to successfully mine for it and put it on the screen.

Linden’s directorial debut 10 Years hits theaters September 14th.

Any thoughts on The Flight Before Christmas?