2 Tennessee Williams bio-pics planned

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. filmmaker Taylor Hackford has signed on to direct "Tenn," a movie about late playwright Tennessee Williams.

Williams was the author of such American stage classics "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." He choked to death in 1983 at the age of 71.

Hackford, who is married to British actress Helen Mirren, is best known for directing the 2004 Ray Charles bio-pic "Ray." His other movies include "White Nights," "The Devil's Advocate" and "Proof of Life."

Variety.com reported Hackford is getting ready to direct "Tenn," which will follow Williams through his tumultuous younger years.

"The Contortionist's Handbook" screenwriter Robin Shushan wrote the script for "Tenn," the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Another Williams movie is also in the works and follows the author through his years in Rome and his friendship with actress Anna Magnani, spanning the period 1950 to 1974.

Called "Roman Nights," the movie is based on the celebrated stage drama of the same name by Franco D'Alessandro, the playwright's representatives said.