Once in a while, we hear tell of a project that sees a classic tale being given an update. More often than not, it seems a studio has the idea to take some ancient tale and give it a sci-fi spin. The latest example is Homer’s The Odyssey, which Warner Bros. has once more decided would make for a great adventure set in space.

James DiLapo, who has one unproduced script – Black List Soviet drama Devils At Play – to his name so far, has been hired to write the futuristic re-imagining of the Greek epic.

Sadly, we're not talking about a mega-budget live-action version of classic '80s 'toon Ulysses 31. No details have yet been released about the new movie’s take on Homer’s follow-up to The Iliad (which formed the basis for Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy in 2004). But The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ long, difficult journey to return home after the Siege of Troy, even as suitors queue up to marry his wife and take over his fortune.

According to Deadline, 1821 Pictures executive Terry Douglas had the idea to re-set the story in space, and brought the idea to the studio years ago along with Paris Kasidokostas. For a while, it even attracted Troy’s Brad Pitt, but nothing happened. Now DiLapo’s pitch has got everyone (except perhaps Pitt, who is not mentioned) excited again.

Whether it can actually make it to the screen this time is anyone’s guess, but Warners definitely thinks this could be franchise material.