William Tell Shooting to the Big Screen

Producers Fred Caruso and D. Constantine Conte are bringing the story of William Tell to the big screen.

Based on Friedrich von Schiller’s 1805 play, the story chronicles the life of the 14th century Swiss hero who, as legend has it, was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head to win his freedom from Austrian occupiers.

Stunt coordinator and second unit director Ian Quinn will make his feature directorial debut on the $60 million production.

Pre-production is set to begin in the fall. The film will shoot in Lucerne and other regions in Switzerland, with release scheduled for 2010.

EXTRAs: Swiss actress Kiera Chaplin, who will star as Tell’s wife, is the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin.