Roman Polanksi's longtime producer Alain Sarde is lining up a $50m prequel to Emmanuelle with the erotic franchise's rights holder Alain Siritzky.

What Else Emmanuelle' will be the first theatrical release in the series since Emmanuelle IV came out in 1984 and is scheduled to begin shooting at various exotic locations in September.

The producers are out to casting for the lead role of the sexually liberated character, first made famous by Sylvia Kristel in Emmanuelle in 1974.

The producers are aiming for a PG-13 rating and Siritzky said he was hoping to entice viewers of all ages on the story of a young girl who blossoms into a sensual woman. Alan Siritzky Productions is producing.

Siritzky recently acquired all the rights including publishing and merchandising to the Emmanuelle brand and plans to build a wide cross-promotional platform incorporating perfume and lingerie.

'Myths never die and in a fantasy world that has been dominated by male characters such as Superman, Spiderman and James Bond, Emmanuelle remains the one French female characters known and revered throughout the world,' Siritzky said.