Polanski to direct "Pompeii" film - report

LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski is to film best-selling British author Robert Harris' novel ''Pompeii''.

''Roman said he liked the book, we met in Paris and the deal was done,'' Harris told the Sunday Times. ''It happened very quickly. I'm back in Paris this week to start sketching it out and the filming will start in the summer.'' The novel ''Pompeii'' tells the story of the Roman city's final days in AD 79 before Mount Vesuvius erupted, causing the deaths of thousands of people.

''Since Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator', there has also been more general interest in the Roman era,'' Harris said.

In 2001 one of Harris' novels ''Enigma'' was made into a film of the same name and featured ''Titanic'' star Kate Winslet.

The 73-year-old Polanski won an Oscar in 2003 for directing the Holocaust drama ''The Pianist''.

He has been unable to make films in Hollywood since skipping the United States after a 1977 conviction for statutory rape.

The Sunday Times said the film would cost 100 million pounds -- reportedly the most expensive film ever made in Europe.

Reuters AKJ VV0849