Martin Scorsese has signed up to produce Silver Ghost, a film about the families behind British classic car Rolls-Royce.

The Raging Bull director will team up with Gandhi director Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas to produce the biopic about Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, who founded the brand, as well as the secret love affairs caught up in the tale.

Scorsese said: "When I read the story of Silver Ghost, I was mesmerised. I immediately thought, this is a picture that has to be made. And when I was asked to come aboard as a producer I didn't hesitate for a moment."

Lord Attenborough said: "Martin Scorsese is a giant of the cinema and I am thrilled to be collaborating with Marty and Anthony. What a team to bring this extraordinary story to life."

The screenplay for the film was written by Keira Knightley's mother Sharman Macdonald and Jeffrey Caine.

As well as the founding of the car company, the film tells the story of the affair between John Montagu, who later became Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, and his secretary Eleanor Thornton. His wife Lady Cecil apparently condoned the affair and Eleanor modelled for the winged Spirit of Ecstasy figure that adorns the bonnet of the Rolls.

No cast or director have yet been signed up to the film, although Christian Bale has been linked to the role of Lord Montagu.

Read more: Scorsese to produce Silver Ghost - News, Film & TV - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Martin Scorcese has announced he is to work alongside Lord Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas to produce a film called "Silver Ghost". Now, quieten down at the back and listen.

Scorcese, long the auteur of brutal, bloody, guilt-ridden masterpieces (think Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver) will work alongside Lord Attenborough (Gandhi) in a film about the life of Lord John Douglas-Scott Montagu, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. And this is where it gets interesting.