Morgan Freeman to star in 'Beautiful Jim Key'
Rodat, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter who wrote 'Private Ryan' and 'The Patriot', is making his directorial debut with the project, said the Hollywood Reporter.
The project is currently at Cannes to seek finance.
The film revolves around the true story of a former slave, Civil War veteran and self-taught veterinarian William Key, who trains a horse to read, spell and do math.
Because he is black, Key is relegated to carnival sideshows until he recruited Albert Rogers, a one-time promoter for PT Barnum, who helps make the horse a national sensation.