Terrence Malick will direct Irish actor Colin Farrell in 'The New World', a drama about the cultural clash between European explorers and Native American tribes.
According to Variety, Malick jumped ship on his announced biopic of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara in favour of directing New Line's big-budget film.
Written by Malick, 'The New World' is intended to be the studio's follow-up to 'The Lord of the Rings' and a production start date of July has been set.
Farrell is to play the explorer John Smith. The role of Pocahontas has not yet been cast.
Malick, who was Oscar-nominated for his last film 'The Thin Red Line', is to return to 'Che' in 2005.
Farrell last appeared on Irish cinema screens in low-budget independent film 'Intermission'.
