Paul W.S. Anderson to go to battle with 'The Three Musketeers'

By Adnan Tezer Sep 2, 2009, 22:00 GMT

Director Paul W.S. Anderson, known for the “Resident Evil” series and “Alien vs. Predator”, is bringing the classic tale of “The Three Musketeers” to the big screen in 3D.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anderson is producing with Impact Pictures partner Jeremy Bolt and Robert Kulzer of Constantin Film. Constantin, with whom Impact has a joint partnership, will finance the production.

The 1844 Alexandre Dumas tale tells of d’Artagnan, a young man who sets out to become a member of the fighting force of the French king’s royal household. Along the way, he makes friends with three of the force’s most infamous members: Athos, Porthos and Aramis, whose motto of friendship is “All for one and one for all!”

Anderson wrote the script with Andrew Davies, whose credits include the films “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “The Tailor of Panama” and a television adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.”

The film will have a contemporary feel, though that does not mean abandoning the period setting.

A shoot next year with a 2011 release is being mentioned.

“Musketeers” has proved to be strong film material over the years. Some of the film versions include Fred Niblo’s 1921 silent version with Douglas Fairbanks, George Sidney’s 1948 version with Gene Kelly, Lana Turner and Vincent Price, Richard Lester’s 1973 version that starred Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch and Faye Dunaway, and Stephen Herek’s 1993 version with Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland and Chris O’Donnell.