AceShowbiz -

Kirsten Dunst will serve behind the lens for her next big screen project. The "Fargo" actress is set to direct a new take on "The Bell Jar" with Dakota Fanning on the lead role. No release date has been set, but production is expected to start in early 2017.

"The Bell Jar" is adapted from Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical book. It follows Esther Greenwood who takes an internship at a magazine in New York City and begins to suffer from mental illness after returning home to Boston. It's the only novel published by Plath before she committed suicide in 1963.

The novel was previously turned into a movie in 1979. It was directed by Larry Peerce and led by Marilyn Hassett as Greenwood. The upcoming adaptation will mark Dunst's feature film directorial debut.

The actress who has just been nominated for an Emmy for her role on "Fargo" has directed short films before. "Welcome" starring Winona Ryder and John Hawkes was screened at Sundance while "Bastard" starring Brian Geraghty and Lukas Haas was played at Tribeca and Cannes.

Dunst was last seen on the big screen in sci-fier "Midnight Special". Her next movies include "Woodstock" and "Hidden Figures".