ROMAN POLANSKI - POLANSKI TO DIRECT PRICEY 'POMPEII'

Oscar-winning director ROMAN POLANSKI is set to bring ROBERT HARRIS' bestseller POMPEII to the big screen. The dramatic thriller is set against the backdrop of Mt Vesuvius just before and during its eruption. The movie's budget is projected to be in the $130 million range (GBP67 million), making it Polanski's most expensive film by a wide margin. Harris will be writing the script himself and shooting will begin in Italy this summer (07). The movie features a young engineer who has to repair an enormous aqueduct whose destruction threatens the Roman Empire. The film takes place over three days and the final act features the volcanic eruption and destruction of the aqueduct, which serves hundreds of thousands of people. Polanski explains, "I got seduced by the writing. In general terms, when someone tells me to make a movie set in ancient times, I say it's not my cup of tea. But I liked that it was a thriller." THE PIANIST director adds, "It will be very dependent on visual effects. It's always challenging to do something a little different, but that's what keeps me going."

03/02/2007 01:27