Roman Polanski to do 'Oliver Twist'

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Director Roman Polanski and screenwriter Ronald Harwood, Oscar winners for the "The Pianist," will collaborate again on "Oliver Twist."

Polanski told Daily Variety that "Oliver Twist" will be his next picture and that he plans to shoot in Europe next summer, using a British cast.

The Polish director said it would be a challenge to condense the 456-page Charles Dickens novel about an orphan who learns to be a pickpocket in Victorian London, into a two-hour film.

"I love Dickens and I want to make a family movie," he said, explaining that he was inspired to make the movie for his own children, ages 5 and 10.

"Pianist" producers Alain Sarde and Robert Benmussa will produce "Oliver Twist."

"Oliver Twist" has been adapted to the silver screen 12 times before. "Oliver!" in 1969, won four Oscars.