Laurence Fishburne is entering into new territory. The prolific actor has had a steady career of powerful roles, but has only stepped behind the camera once for 2000’s Once in the Life, an inner city story of drugs and organized crime. Now he’s going from sage roles and inner city life to hidden treasure in pyramids with The Alchemist.

Based on the best selling adventure novel by Paulo Coelho, Fishburne will write and direct an adaptation of the story. The film will feature a reteaming of the Akeelah and the Bee producers, as Fishburne teams up with Barrie Osborne and Helen Sugland for producer duties. The picture will be executive produced by A-Mark Entertainment.

According to the Variety story announcement, it appears Fishburne has already written the script the film adaptation will be using. The story of The Alchemist follows a young Spainard in his quest for hidden treasure in the Egyptian pyramids – quite a step away from Fishburne’s previous “comfort zone”.