Gillian Armstong is in advanced talks to direct FilmFour's adaptation of Sebastian Faulks' best-selling novel, Charlotte Gray.

John Madden was previously expected to direct the high-profile project but he is now attached to Working Title Films' Captain Corelli's Mandolin. As previously reported, Cate Blanchett, the Australian actress who starred in Armstrong's Oscar & Lucinda, is in talks to star in Charlotte, which is based at UK production outfit Ecosse Films, the producer of Mrs Brown.

The film, part of a move by FilmFour to hike budget levels on selected home-grown productions, follows a British girl in Nazi-occupied France during WW2. Ecosse's Douglas Rae is producing.

Recent additions to FilmFour's bulging slate include Dog Eat Dog, an irreverent comedy about four friends and aspiring DJs. Moody Shoaibi is to direct from a script by Shoaibi and Mark Tonderai. Tiger Aspect Productions is producing, with shooting scheduled for late summer.

Another recent addition, Large, follows the son of a 70s rock legend out to prove that he is a responsible citizen in order to inherit his father's fortune. Justin Edgar is to direct from a script co-written with Michael Dent. Alex Usborne is producing, with shooting set to start next month.

FilmFour recently unveiled a raft of high-profile UK projects including King Lear, which Tim Roth is to direct from a Harold Pinter script; Henry & Anne, a period piece which is also through Ecosse; and The Emperor's New Clothes, to be directed by Palookaville's Alan Taylor and produced by The Full Monty's Uberto Pasolini.

Additionally, FilmFour is readying period drama Jack Sheppard And Jonathan Wild for an autumn shoot. Benjamin Ross is to direct, Robert Jones produce and Martin Scorsese executive produce.

FilmFour recently sold the Academy Award-nominated Solomon & Gaenor to Sony Pictures Classics for the US.