Tarantino begins 'Inglourious' shoot

NEW YORK, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Writer-director Quentin Tarantino has begun principal photography on his World War II picture "Inglourious Basterds" in Germany, The Weinstein Co. said.

The film, which began shooting last week, reunites Brad Pitt with his "Troy" co-star Diane Kruger. The cast also includes Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Bruhl, Eli Roth, Samm Levine, B.J. Novak, Til Schweiger, Gedeon Burkhard, Paul Rust, Michael Bacall and Omar Doom.

Also part of the ensemble are Sylvester Groth, Julie Dreyfus, Jacky Ido, August Diehl, Martin Wuttke, Richard Sammel, Christian Berkel, Sonke Mohring, Michael Fassbender, Mike Myers, Rod Taylor, Denis Menochet and Cloris Leachman.

The Weinstein Co. and Universal Pictures -- through their newly formed International Studio -- are co-financing and co-presenting the film with TWC handling domestic distribution and Universal handling international distribution.

The two companies are partners on the project, TWC said.

Zehnte Babelsberg Film, a subsidiary of Studio Babelsberg AG, is producing "Inglourious Basterds."

The movie will shoot at Studio Babelsberg, as well as in Berlin, Saxony and Paris. It is scheduled for worldwide release next year.

Tarantino's previous films include "Kill Bill," "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs."