Neil La Bute (In The Company of Men) is to direct an adaptation of a novel by British crime writer, Agatha Christie.

The UK’s Brilliant Films and Germany’s Tele München Group (TMG) will co-produce the project, Crooked House, Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, Downton Abbey) and Tim Rose Price have adapted the screenplay from the novel, reportedly Christie’s favourite.

LaBute has said he is aiming to make a movie in the vein of “the great Christie theatrical event movies of the 1970s, such as ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Death on the Nile’.”

The cast is headline by Matthew Goode, Gemma Arterton, Julie Andrews and Gabriel Byrne. Casting continues, with principal photography scheduled to begin later this year in the UK.

The film will be produced by TMG’s Herbert Kloiber, with Brilliant Films’ Joe Abrams and Rory Gilmartin.

Herbert Kloiber, Chairman of Germany’s Tele München Group commented: “It’s great to be making this film with Brilliant. Crooked House is s quintessential Agatha Christie - watertight plotting and an ensemble of wonderful character roles - and the combination of Christie, Julian Fellowes and Neil LaBute is a hugely exciting one. We’re honored to be bringing such a celebrated classic to the big screen with such a prestigious cast.”

Brilliant Films has funded the development of the project via their own fund. A sales agent is expected to be announced shortly.