Admitting that he has 'long sought the rights' to Mikhail Bulgakov's bestselling novel, the 'Moulin Rouge!' director will develop the drama project under his production company.

AceShowbiz - Visionary director Baz Luhrmann is set to adapt bestselling Russian novel "The Master and Margarita" for the screen after a lengthy fight to secure the book's rights.

The "Moulin Rouge!" filmmaker will also produce the project, which has been added to his busy slate that includes an upcoming untitled Elvis Presley drama.

Published in 1960, Mikhail Bulgakov's book centres on the most brutal period in former Russian leader Joseph Stalin's regime and was banned during the author's lifetime.

"Stretching back almost 20 years, I've had an incredible connection with the story of 'The Master and Margarita' and have long sought the rights to this extraordinary book," says Luhrmann. "I'm thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do an interpretation of this groundbreaking work."

The drama will be developed under Luhrmann's production company, Baz & Co.

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