Andrew Adamson (SHREK, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE) will write, direct and produce an adaptation of Lloyd Jones' MR. PIP, reports Risky Business. HOUSE star Hugh Laurie is set to take the lead in the story of a teacher who inspires his students in war-torn Bougainville, Papua New Guinea with Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

Olympus Pictures is funding with Olympus' Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech producing alongside Eyeworks New Zealand and Agio Capital. The New Zealand Film Commission, NZ on Air and New Zealand Television Network TV3 are co-funding. Agio Capital's James Dean, Deer Path Prods.' Daniel Revers, Julie Christie, Tim White and Tim Coddington are the exec producers.

Focus Features International will hold the worldwide rights. UTA’s Independent Film Group has obtained the North American rights.