Warner Bros. has set a release date for writer/director Akiva Goldsman’s fantasy/romance drama Winter’s Tale, and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day. The film, releasing next February the 14th, takes place primarily in a mythic, turn of the (19th) century version of New York City, and is based on a 1983 novel of the same name by Mark Helprin.

Goldsman is best known as a producer (he’s worked on Paranormal Activity 2, 3 and 4 as well as the likes of Jonah Hex and Mr. and Mrs. Smith), but he also has a number of writing credits to his name, albeit with mixed results. For every A Beautiful Mind, I, Robot, and Cinderella Man he’s also had a Da Vinci Code or a Batman & Robin. Winter’s Tale is Goldsman’s feature directorial debut.

While all that may amount to a wash in terms of reasons to get excited for the film, the cast is undeniably a huge plus. In the leading role is Colin Farrell as Peter Lake, an orphan who becomes a master mechanic but is forced into crime by a local gang. While robbing an upper west side mansion he discovers Beverly Penn, a free spirited but terminally ill woman with whom he falls in love (and who is played by Jessica Brown Fidlay – Sybil in Downton Abbey). Also in evidence are Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolley, Lucy Griffiths (True Blood), and (in what would seem to be a minor role, but we shall see) Will Smith. Also key to the story would seem to be the white horse seen in a couple of the pictures above.