Euro producers launch 'Ali Baba'

French, Germans and Italians to remake 1001 Nights classic

By CHRISTIAN KOEHL

COLOGNE — European TV producers are collaborating on a two-part movie adaptation of classic tale “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”

The project is headed by French shingle GMT and also involves Italian pubcaster RAI and Germany’s Tele Muenchen Gruppe.

Pic, to be shown on TF1 in France, is being shot near Marrakesh using the revamped set of Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven.”

The helmer is Pierre Aknine, who previously directed “Artagnan and the Three Musketeers.”

Pic, budgeted at around $14 million, features a cast that includes Gerard Jugnot, Ken Duken, and Leila Bekhti.

Tele Muenchen Gruppe says it has secured rights for German-speaking territories and Central Europe.

Combo has recently beefed up its production of TV movies and latterly announced a mini-series remake of Jack London’s “The Sea Wolf.”