Academy Award-nominee Annette Bening and screen favorite Saoirse Ronan are set to star in the upcoming movie adaptation of the classic stage play "The Seagull", Variety reports. Tony Award-winning Michael Mayer is to direct the film.

Russian playwright Anton Chekhov first wrote "The Seagull" in 1895 and it was first produced for the stage in the following year. The story focuses on the romantic conflicts and relationships between a family of artists. Irina is an ageing actress whose son, Konstantin, a fledgling playwright, is in love with Nina, a young and ambitious actress. Tensions rise among the characters as a romantic triangle between Nina, Konstantin, and another successful writer, Boris, as well as other issues, become apparent.

Based on the cast of characters, Bening, who co-starred with Al Pacino in this year's "Danny Collins", could play the role of Irina. Ronan, on the other hand, best fits the role of Nina. Other actors who are part of the cast are stage actor Corey Stoll, who is most likely to play the role of Boris, and newcomer Billy Howle, who could fit the part of Konstantin. However, these are mostly speculations, as the final cast of characters is yet to be announced.

The filming is yet to begin this summer in New York City. Ann Roth will serve as the film's costume designer, while Jane Musky will work on the production design.

The upcoming film adaptation will not be the first time that "The Seagull" graces the big screen. The play was first adapted in 1968 in a movie titled "The Sea Gull", starring Vanessa Redgrave (who incidentally  played the older character of Ronan in the movie adaptation of "Atonement"). However, the film was received poorly. Meanwhile, back in 2011, a modern version of the play titled "Relative Insanity" starring David Duchovny and Helen Hunt was announced, but it is yet to be released.

The film adaptation is to be produced by Leslie Urdang, Tom Hulce, and Bob Salerno for Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur's K5 International. It will not be surprising if "The Seagull" makes its rounds in the awards circuit once it is released, since K5 International has been churning out film festival hits.

The original stage play is known for its strong character ensembles and colorful costumes and production designs. With the kind of talent that the movie has, it will be interesting to see how it can bring the classic story to a 21st century audience.