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Kevin Kline answers questions during a panel for the HBO film "As You Like It" at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles July 12, 2007. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - In his first French-speaking role, Kevin Kline is starring in a drama shooting on location on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

"Joueuse (Queen to Play)" stars Sandrine Bonnaire as a hotel maid captivated by a romantic couple (Jennifer Beals and Francis Renaud) playing chess.

The doctor (Kline) whose house she cleans reluctantly becomes her mentor in the game, leading her to a chess tournament and initiating major transformations in her life.

First-time feature director Caroline Bottaro adapted the screenplay from Bertina Henrichs' novel "The Chess Player."

Kline courted Meg Ryan as a Parisian in "French Kiss," but this is his first role in a French production.

"He speaks good French, better than John Malkovich (who lives in France)," said Michel Feller, one of the film's producers.

Kline's recent credits include "Definitely, Maybe" and "A Prairie Home Companion."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter