'The Last King of Scotland' Helmer to Direct Universal's Biopic Project

The helmer of "The Last King of Scotland" Kevin Macdonald is set to direct Universal Pictures' new drama project "Bobby Fischer Goes to War". According to Variety, Macdonald has been signed by Universal and Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner to do the work.

Based on the book by David Edmonds and John Eidinow, the film tells the story about Fisher who at the age of 15 years old defeated Boris Spassky in the World Chess Championship in 1972 and became the only American to win that title. The biopic will be produced by Bevan and Fellner, and the filming will be done later this year.

Macdonald is known for his documentary work "One Day in September" which eventually won the prestigious Academy Award in 2000. In 2007, He made his scripted directing debut with "Scotland" starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy. His next feature project is the adaptation of the British miniseries starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren entitled "State of Play".