Kline to Star in French Film ‘Joueuse’

U.S. stage and movie actor Kevin Kline reportedly will tackle his first French-speaking role in a French film in the chess drama Joueuse.

Kline has previously starred in the movies Trade, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Fish Called Wanda, I Love You to Death and French Kiss, in which he played a Parisian thief.

He also recently played the title role in the Broadway revival of Cyrano de Bergerac.

In Joueuse, which translates into Queen to Play, Kline will co-star with Sandrine Bonnaire and Jennifer Beals, The Hollywood Reporter said.

He speaks good French, better than John Malkovich, producer Michel Feller told the trade paper. Malkovich is a U.S. actor who spent several years living in France.

Caroline Bottaro adapted the screenplay for Joueuse from Bertina Henrichs’ novel The Chess Player. The film marks her feature film directorial debut.

Principal photography is underway on the isle of Corsica, The Hollywood Reporter said.