Walden Media has tapped acclaimed director and DGA President Michael Apted to helm the political thriller "Amazing Grace," based on the life of British anti-slavery crusader William Wilberforce reports Variety.

Script by Steven Knight ("Dirty Pretty Things") will focus on Wilberforce's efforts as a member of Parliament in 18th-century England to end slavery and the slave trade in the British empire. Wilberforce was elected to the House of Commons at 21 and took on the issue of slavery, successfully assembling a diverse coalition that went up against the most powerful men of the time.

Terrence Malick and Ed Pressman are producers on the flick. Apted's credits include 007 adventure "The World Is Not Enough," the "Seven Up" docu series and the first three episodes of HBO's upcoming series "Rome".

Thanks to 'SB'