The Sound and the Fury tells the story of a formerly wealthy family in the American South that struggles with poverty, alcoholism and tragedy.

The filmmaking could present quite a challenge for Franco, who will have to deal with a complex narrative, flashbacks and leaps into the future reported HT.

The actor and director is hoping to get Jon Hamm from Mad Men to play Jason Compson, father of four children and grandfather of a little girl. James's brother Dave Franco and Danny McBride also appear likely to star in the movie.

It's not the first time James Franco has tackled a book by William Faulkner. His adaptation of As I Lay Dying was presented in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and will come out in October.

The Sound and the Fury was first adapted to the big screen in 1959 by Martin Ritt, starring Yul Brynner.