Redford to direct Lincoln picture

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Robert Redford has signed on to direct "The Conspirator," a big-screen drama about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The independent movie reportedly will focus on Washington boardinghouse owner and Confederate sympathizer Mary Surratt, who was convicted and hung for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the infamous 19th century slaying of the 16th U.S. president.

Redford is expected to this fall start shooting the picture, which was written by "The Bronx is Burning" scribe James Solomon, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.