Paul W. S. Anderson will bring his very modern sensibilities to The Three Musketeers, a new version of the 1844 Alexandre Dumas novel.

Anderson, whose previous films include Resident Evil, Alien vs. Predator and Death Race, will be writing the screenplay with Andrew Davies, who is known for more character-driven fare. Apparently, the two have known each other since Anderson attended the University of Warwick in England, where Davies was serving as a tutor.

Empire reports the new film will have a contemporary feel, but plans are to retain the period setting. "We are definitely modernizing The Three Musketeers without compromising the fun of shooting a period piece," said Anderson. "But in our film, corsets and feathered hats don’t take center stage. Our version is rich in eye-popping action, romance and adventure."

Anderson’s movies are known for special effects and electronic music, not so much for romance, which is another reason Davies, whose credits include Bridget Jones’ Diary and The Tailor of Panama, was brought on board. But it sounds like this new version of "The Three Musketeers" will still provide spectacle; apparently, Anderson is looking to release it in 3-D.

Impact Pictures’ Jeremy Bolt will produce along with Anderson and Robert Kulzer of Constantin Film, which will provide financing. A shoot in France and Germany next year and a 2011 release date are currently being targeted.

The Three Musketeers have graced the big screen numerous times, perhaps most famously in Richard Lester’s 1973 adventure flick starring British stars Michael York, Richard Chamberlain and Oliver Reed. They were recently revived in the very loosely-based The Musketeer, directed by Peter Hyams; in that version, D’Artagnan boasted Eastern-inspired fighting skills, which were choreographed by a Hong Kong fight director.

Anderson has been connected to numerous projects of late, including an adaptation of “The Warded Man” and prequel to Death Race. His next scheduled film is Resident Evil: Afterlife.