Dustin Hoffman to don director's hat for comedy

London, March 12 : Actor Dustin Hoffman is said to be in final talks to direct "Quartet", a comedy that will star Maggie Smith, Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay.

The film, based on a 1999 play by author Ronald Harwood, is set in a retirement home for opera singers in the Home Counties. Harwood, who won an Oscar for Roman Polanski's "The Pianist", is adapting his play for the big screen, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Finola Dwyer, who produced Oscar-nominated "An Education", is expected to produce the movie. The filming is due to begin later in the year.