The film, penned by Willy Holtzman, is based on the true story of Coward's run at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas in 1955. "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" chronicles the two-week engagement and Coward's relationship with his agent and piano teacher. Gene Kirkwood and Ross Elliot are producing the film.

Additionally, Firth will star alongside Rupert Everett (Blithe Spirit) in "The Happy Prince," a comedic Oscar Wilde biopic, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Everett will direct, write and star as the legendary Irish writer and playwright with Firth as his friend Reginald "Reggie" Turner. Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Edward Fox have also been cast in the film, which will begin production in summer 2013.

Firth won the Oscar in 2011 for his performance in "The King's Speech" and was nominated for his performance in "A Single Man." His film credits also include "Love Actually," "Girl With a Pearl Earring," "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Shakespeare in Love," among others.

Coward received a special Tony Award in 1970 and was nominated for his work on High Spirits and The Girl Who Came to Supper. His plays include Private Lives, Brief Encounter, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit, Design For Living, Waiting in the Wings and Hay Fever, among others. Visit his page at the Playbill Vault. Wilde's plays include The Importance of Being Earnest, Salome and An Ideal Husband, among others. Visit his page at the Playbill Vault.