The Signal’s William Eubank will direct Count, a contemporary Count of Monte Cristo movie

A new Count of Monte Cristo movie is in the works, as Deadline today reports that Warner Bros. and Safehouse Pictures have set The Signal director William Eubank to helm a contemporary take on the Alexandre Dumas tale. Title Count, the new Count of Monte Cristo movie will be set against the backdrop of a modern criminal underworld. Underground scribe Joe Pokaski will provide the screenplay with Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell attached to produce.

First published in 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo is arguably the world’s definitive tale of revenge, following a young man named Edmond Dantès who, betrayed and imprisoned, spends years in prison before escaping with a treasure map and making his way to incredible wealth. From there, Dantès plans his return as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and his revenge on the three men responsible.

There have been quite a few Count of Monte Cristo movies over the years with the earliest, a silent version titled simply Monte Cristo, dating back to 1922. Since then, Dumas tale has been adapted time and time again in a variety of languages and formats. Writer and director Paul Schrader offered his own contemporary take on the text with his loose adaptation, Forever Mine, in 1999. Three years later, Touchstone Pictures released a period adaptation directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce.

It was announced three years ago that David Goyer was planning to direct his own Count of Cristo movie through Constantin Films. At this point, however, it is unclear whether or not that project is still moving forward.

How do you feel about a new Count of Monte Cristo movie? Who would you like to see star? Let us know in the comments below!