Kline to star in French film 'Joueuse'

NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- U.S. stage and movie actor Kevin Kline reportedly will tackle his first French-speaking role in a French film in the chess drama "Joueuse."

Kline has previously starred in the movies "Trade," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "A Fish Called Wanda," "I Love You to Death" and "French Kiss," in which he played a Parisian thief.

He also recently played the title role in the Broadway revival of "Cyrano de Bergerac."

In "Joueuse," which translates into "Queen to Play," Kline will co-star with Sandrine Bonnaire and Jennifer Beals, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"He speaks good French, better than John Malkovich," producer Michel Feller told the trade paper. Malkovich is a U.S. actor who spent several years living in France.

Caroline Bottaro adapted the screenplay for "Joueuse" from Bertina Henrichs' novel "The Chess Player." The film marks her feature film directorial debut.

Principal photography is under way on the isle of Corsica, The Hollywood Reporter said.