Mathieu Amalric Takes On The Red and the Black

French actor Mathieu Amalric ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "Quantum of Solace") is set to direct a film adaptation of author Stendhal's classic 1830  novel "The Red and the Black" says Variety.

The story follows an ambitious young teacher whose passionate affair with a wealthy married woman leads to his downfall.

Claude Autant-Lara previously adapted the book in 1954.

Amalric is writing the script for the as-yet-untitled pic

Yael Fogiel and Laetitia Gonzalez will produce.