Kline to helm 'Palace Thief'
Thesp/director may also topline Fine Line pic
Best known for comedic roles in pics like "In & Out," "Dave" and "A Fish Called Wanda," the Oscar-winning thesp may also topline "Palace Thief," according to a source familiar with the talks.
Neil Tolkin ("Sticks and Stones," "Jury Duty") wrote the script, based on an Ethan Canin short story of the same name. Story revolves around a prep school teacher's musings over his past 50 years and, after an unhappy reunion with a former student, his revelation of how little control he's exercised during crucial moments of life.
"The reason Kline's so perfect for this is that it has a classical vibe to it," said Mark Ordesky, prexy of Fine Line, "which he has, too. But he also brings such a modern sensibility to it."
Kline has directed only once before -- a production of "Hamlet" in which he starred for the PBS Great Performances/Joe Papp Public Theater series in 1990.
Andy Karsh, Sean Bailey and Cooper Layne will produce the pic, which Rachael Horovitz, Fine Line's senior veepee of production and acquisition, is supervising.
Kline is repped by CAA and managed by Judy Hofflund at Hofflund Polone. Tolkin was repped by Endeavor and attorney Ken Richman of Hansen Jacobson. UTA's Richard Green repped Canin.
