Luc Besson plans comic book movie 'Valerian'

Luc Besson will write and direct an adaptation of Valerian.

He is developing an English-language, live action version of the long-running French comic, reports Variety.



Launched in 1967, the series is written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières.

It follows the adventures of the eponymous time-travelling spatio-temporal agent and his intelligent and beautiful sidekick Laureline.

The Parisian director previously hired Mézières to work on the design of his sci-fi blockbuster The Fifth Element.

Besson is already working on the Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones-starring Malavita and an untitled action thriller starring Angelina Jolie, which is scheduled to begin shooting in early 2013.

The Valerian project's title and timetable are yet to be revealed.