Jeff Lemire's graphic novel The Underwater Welder is being adapted for the big screen, with Ryan Gosling, Ken Kao and Anonymous Content attached to produce.

The Toronto comic artist's book was a New York Times bestseller when it was published in 2012. The book follows an underwater welder working on an oil rig off the coast of Nova Scotia. The man, struggling with the fact that he'll soon be a father, has a life-changing, supernatural encounter at the bottom of the sea.

Lemire is one of Canada's most celebrated contemporary comic artists, winning awards and acclaim for works like Essex County and Secret Path with Gord Downie. His latest book, Roughneck, was released in April 2017.

Graphic novel publisher Top Shelf Productions made the announcement on March 3, 2017.