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LONDON -- Pathe Pictures has confirmed that it will co-finance Kenneth Branagh's "Love's Labour's Lost" in partnership with Intermedia Films and Miramax Films.

The pic, adapted from William Shakespeare's play, will star Alicia Silverstone, Carmen Ejogo, Natascha McElhone, Nathan Lane, Adrian Lester, Matthew Lillard, Emily Mortimer, Alessandro Nivola and Timothy Spall, along with Branagh himself.

Pathe, which is taking U.K. and French rights, is backing the production through its lottery production franchise. The Arts Council of England is contributing �1.06 million ($1.75 million) in lotto coin.

Intermedia is selling the film worldwide, while Miramax has picked up rights in North America and other selected territories.

Branagh will update the Shakespeare play to the 1930s and use songs from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Shooting starts in late February.