De Niro to produce cop thriller

'36' will be a remake of a critically acclaimed French film that starred Gérard Depardieu.

Sep 28 2005

Robert De Niro is to produce a remake of Parisian police drama '36 Quai des Orfèvres'.

The film, which is currently called '36', will be directed by Marc Forster ('Monster's Ball', 'Finding Neverland') and written by Dean Georgaris, who scripted last year's excellent remake of 'The Manchurian Candidate'.

The original '36 Quai des Orfèvres' starred Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil and revolved around two plain-clothed officers' efforts to solve a series of armoured car robberies.

A huge hit in France last year, the film was also nominated for eight César awards, including best actor (for Auteuil) and best picture.

There's no word yet as to where the American version will be set, nor who will star in it, but don't rule out De Niro playing one of the leads when production starts early next year.