Emma Thompson to direct 'Nanny McPhee' musical

Emma Thompson has been roped in to direct the Nanny McPhee stage musical after playing the title character in the 2005 movie.

The 59-year-old actor is not expected star in the film-to-stage adaptation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

She is also set to write the lyrics for the stage outing and singer-songwriter Gary Clark will compose the music.

Thompson played the strange yet beloved nanny who used magic to rein in seven misbehaving children in her care. She penned the screenplay for the movie.

The actor also co-wrote the sequel, "Nanny McPhee Returns", with Christianna Brand, on whose "Nurse Matilda" book series the original "Nanny McPhee" movie was based.

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, from Working Title Films, will produce.