Shekhar Kapur to direct $200 mn film for Warner Bros

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) Internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is all set to direct a $200-million Hollywood fantasy-epic for Warner Brothers titled 'Larklight'.

'I was in LA last week to collaborate with writer Steve Knight for 'Larklight'. It's something I had signed on three months ago. It's a franchise book and being hailed as the new 'Harry Potter'. Warner Brothers has bought the rights. Steve and I are currently working on the screenplay,' an excited Kapur, who made the acclaimed Hollywood film 'Elizabeth', told IANS.

'Steve and I are good friends. We've been working on the script extensively. It's a &200-million project, probably the most expensive film I've made and will ever make,' he said.

'Larklight' is the current craze on the bookshelves and its author, Philip Reeve, is being touted as another J.K. Rowling. It was an instant bestseller across the world when released in 2006.

What comes as a surprise is that Kapur has been chosen to direct the screen version.

However, Kapur is no stranger to science-fantasies. Remember the aborted 'Time Machine' with Aamir Khan, which he is now going to produce for director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra?

A young, bright and serious boy plays the lead. Let's not forget Kapur discovered Jugal Hansraj for his Bollywood film 'Masoom'.

Interestingly, Knight conceived and wrote the popular game show 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire', which later became our 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. His last screenplay was 'Eastern Promises'.

Kapur will first complete 'Larklight' in Hollywood before proceeding to do the much-talked about 'Paani' in Mumbai.