Lajos Koltai has been confirmed to direct “Spider Dance,” an indie period drama that takes place in 19th century Australia, according to THR.

“Duchess” director, Saul Dibb, was originally reported to be helming “Dance,” the story of an American who arrives in a downtrodden sector of Sydney with an extensive entourage of actors and other celebrities in tow and begins to shock the locals with her strange actions, but that news proved to be premature.

Koltai will direct the Peter Sumner-penned script, and Robert Roworth and U.K.-based Leo Media Group will produce.  British actor, John Rhys-Davies, is on board to star but casting is still underway.

Koltai is perhaps best known as the director behind “Evening,” the Focus Features female drama anchored by Meryl Streep and Claire Danes.

Focus Features’ “Fateless,” a 2005 holocaust adaptation, is another of the director’s more notable endeavors.

Production is scheduled to begin early next year.