Actor Rupert Everett will make his directorial debut with a biopic about Oscar Wilde.

Everett, who appeared in movie versions of Wilde's plays An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest, will step behind the camera for The Happy Prince.

He will also portray his literary hero in the film, which will co-star Colin Firth as the Irish writer's friend and confidante Reginald Turner.

The actor, who is a published author, will also write the script for the film, which chronicles Wilde's final days.

Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Edward Fox are also attached to the project, which is set to start next year.