Eric to direct period parody

Eric Idle is to direct Billy Connolly in a new movie parodying Merchant-Ivory costume dramas.

The former Python has also written the spoof, Remains Of The Piano, which is currently being touted around the Cannes film festival.

The movie will mark Idle's first film as director since The Rutles in 1978.

Connolly will play a police inspector in the star-studded ensemble cast, which also includes Geoffrey Rush, Anjelica Huston, Alfred Molina, Orlando Bloom, Michael York, Patrick Stewart and Ben Kingsley.

Idle will also play a role himself, and Robin Williams has been tipped to make a cameo,

Filming starts on August 18 in Canada and the UK, movie industry website ScreenDaily reports.

Published: 15 May 2003