From Dame to Madame Mallory? Helen Mirren 'in talks to play French chef in The Hundred-Foot Journey

Dame Helen Mirren (Getty Images)

Dame Helen Mirren is in talks to play an eccentric French chef in a film adaptation of best-selling novel The Hundred-Foot Journey, according to reports.

Richard C Morais' book tells the story of the rivalry between an Indian restaurant that is 100 feet away from a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France.

The French restaurant is run by famous eccentric chef Madame Mallory, who becomes a reluctant mentor to a young Indian boy whose family owns the rival restaurant.

Lasse Hallstrom, director of Chocolat, The Cider House Rules and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, is signed up to direct the film for Dreamworks, according to movie blog Deadline.com.

Mirren has been linked to the role of Madame Mallory, but Dreamworks said no casting has been officially set.

The screenplay has been adapted by Eastern Promises writer Steven Knight, and the film is being produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake.

Filming is due to start in the autumn.

PA