Charles Dance ( Ladies In Lavender ) is to direct The Inn at the Edge of the World , from his screenplay based on the Alice Thomas-Ellis' novel of the same name.

The Inn at the Edge of the World tells the story of a group of people who go to a remote Scottish island to escape Christmas.

The film will be produced by Jane Spencer-Prior and Lamia Nayeb-St. Hilaire of Dancing Pictures Ltd.

Principal photography is due to start in May 2009. The cast will include Michael Gambon (Gosford Park, Being Julia), Stephen Fry (V For Vendetta, Wilde) and Penelope Wilton (Calendar Girls, History Boys).

Intandem will act as executive producers and handle worldwide sales.

Intandem CEO, Gary Smith said 'Charles's vision will give the film an exciting edge that will appeal to an international audience as well as satisfying the fan base from the novel.'

Dance who wrote the screenplay said 'I wanted to build upon the success of the best-selling novel by making the necessary adaptations to the characters and the plot that will make The Inn as successful on the big screen.'