French film director Luc Besson is a busy man not just within his homeland, as after producing many big Hollywood pictures he's finally getting back into directing them again it seems.

Like James Cameron's upcoming sci-fi movie, many have been speculating on what major property Besson has been developing recently. Today IESB reports that he is looking into developing "La nuit des Temps" (aka. "The Ice People"), the 1968 French sci-fi novel described as a retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet myth with a scifi twist. Production would begin in August.

Here's a synopsis: "While excavating in Antartica (the South Pole), a team of scientists discover a signal buried deep within the ice of a glacier. The depth is at least 1000 meters so specialists from around the world come to help unearth the findings. Rumors of ruins of an ancient civilization floods the airwaves. At last, two bodies are found frozen in perfect hibernation within a sphere. They are at least 900,000 years old and come from a very advanced society. However, humanity hesitates and ponders the consequences of bringing these ancients back to life, "must one leave them their hibernation?" The technology found is far surpassed anything the scientists have seen.

They decide the woman will be resurrected first. But concerns arise when she does not speak any known language and will most likely die of starvation because she cannot eat any of their food. The world's best computers are put in the service of the translator in order to understand her. Through a machine of her civilization she is able to show the world images recorded in her brain and her people's history. As a result her love affair with Paikan and the events which brought them to their final resting place will be broadcast as well"

Moviehole also reports that Besson is attached to direct the female 007 style spy action thriller "Semper Occultus" which has Jason Statham & Jet Li attached. The story is set around Paris, London and South Africa.

Thanks to 'Antoine', 'Clint', 'Stephanie' & 'Robert'.