Soderbergh's been developing the project -- not yet set up at a studio -- with producing partner Gregory Jacobs. The plan is to shoot the pic later this year. Michael Shamberg and Stacy Sher are producing through their Double Features banner; Participant Media's in talks to produce and co-finance.

"Contagion," based on a script penned by Scott Z. Burns, is described as centering on a deadly disease with multiple plotlines in the same style as Soderbergh's "Traffic." Burns was a writer on "The Bourne Ultimatum" and penned "The Informant!," which Soderbergh directed.